Surprise, surprise, the NIL side of college athletics has hit it’s latest snafu, and this time it’s impacting a highly anticipated video game.
Pete Nakos of On3 noted that sources told the outlet the cash pool for athletes who opt-in to EA Sports’ 2024 College Football video game would pay out to roughly $500. EA has reportedly contracted OneTeam Partners to facilitate college athletes’ likeness.
Sportico has also reported there are no royalties. Now, the College Football Players Association is organizing a boycott for athletes to not sign over their NIL.
Justin Falcinelli, vice president of the CFBPA, expressed his disapproval of the NIL payout in comments shared with On3:
“All current players should boycott this deal. It is an opt-in deal, and they should not opt into it. It is just a ridiculously low amount of money.
Given the context and the hype that surrounds this game. When we first heard the number, we’re like, ‘Alright, that sounds low. Let’s go figure out if it is low.’ And started talking to guys, talked to some of my friends, some guys who are still playing in the NFL. ‘So, what are NFL players getting paid for Madden?’
And the numbers we were given were from 2019, it was disclosed that they got, I think, about $17,000. And then a current NFL player told us that he got a check for $28,000 this year for Madden.
You should not participate in this. It is a simple cash grab to just try to get you for the lowest amount possible. And it’s OneTeam Partners and all these organizations that don’t really represent the players’ best interest.”
This latest development comes off the heels of a report last month that indicated if a player did not wish to have their likeness included in the video game, then a generic avatar would be made in their place. At the time, it seemed like a no-brainer for a player to have their likeness included given the immense hype surrounding EA Sports’ return to college football.
Now, for a measly payout of $500, that generic avatar doesn’t sound too bad.
If this latest development truly puts player likeness in the game in serious doubt, then one cannot help but wonder about the impact on fan interest in the game. On one hand, there will be those who are die-hard fans of the franchise and will purchase no matter what.
But if you can’t play as your favorite Texas A&M player, as you would with your go-to NFL franchise in Madden, then will the game turn out as hyped as it’s shaped to be?
Currently, no exact date has been given for the video game’s release, but it is slated to come out in summer 2024. Here’s to hoping they resolve this messy NIL matter before then.
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