EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

[da ThRONe]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

I've said it before and I'll say it again. Kids that are on academic scholarships and band scholarships are getting the same free education, room and board, etc that kids on athletic scholarships are. The only difference, the kids on band and academic scholarships are allowed to make money off of their own image and the ones that are on athletic scholarships are not. That needs to be corrected.

Thank you. There's no reason these guys shouldn't be able to sign with Nike, Reebok or however. I don't even have a problem with them taking money from boosters.

It doesn't hurt anybody and logically would reduce potential corruption rather than increase it.

[Cryolemon]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

Why would anybody in their right mind sign this?

Reasonable question. I'm not a lawyer, so my wording might not be watertight, but I don't see how signing something like that (which would be voluntary) would be massively different to now.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

Reasonable question. I'm not a lawyer, so my wording might not be watertight, but I don't see how signing something like that (which would be voluntary) would be massively different to now.

Because if they don't get any benefit from it, why would they sign it? I suppose the argument would be that players want to play as themselves in the game, but other then that they are signing away their likeness rights for no compensation at all.

[HeavyWeight]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

I'm still confused why we can see a player on TV, on interviews, highlights for TV, Magazines, etc. Yet their name or likeness in a video game is over the lines?

Secondly, these players did not have to play football. They could live their lives normally if they want. They know what they signed up for. Free school, food, room and board, healthcare, some spending money, grants, and a chance at the NFL. If the players win, they might be screwing over future athletes.

I pray and hope this was sarcasm.

[dingleberryfinn]

Why would anybody in their right mind sign this?

As a matter of pride, 99% of these guys are never goin' to make one dollar playin' football anyways
so bein' in a video game can help to cement their legacy. Years down the road their children can play
& say "that's my old man".

[DIRRTY30]

This Greg Shaheen seems like one greedy douche. Likeness is being added illegally, please, it's not like the game is being hacked to add in names. All I'm reading is "we (NCAA) aren't getting even more money than we already are, and we clearly need more money so I, I mean we, can buy a new yacht."

I still believe this lawsuit isn't so much about the players getting paid but NCAA execs lining their pockets.

I don't understand why people think the NCAA is suing EA. The lawsuit is by these former players against EA and the NCAA.

Really, if the NCAA and EA can successfully argue that the players are indeed being paid, in terms of the value of the scholarship, which at some schools, for 4 years, can be upward of $160,000, then they might actually win this. If these players don't want their likeness used, then they can also pay their own way through college. Schools sell jerseys with current popular players' numbers on them, but don't use names. Schools, television networks and the NCAA promote games using images and videos of current players. Really, the game is just another form of promotion for college football. And the revenue generated by the licensing brings money into the NCAA, which is then spent on many other things that benefit student athletes.

[IlluminatusUIUC]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

I don't understand why people think the NCAA is suing EA. The lawsuit is by these former players against EA and the NCAA.

Really, if the NCAA and EA can successfully argue that the players are indeed being paid, in terms of the value of the scholarship, which at some schools, for 4 years, can be upward of $160,000, then they might actually win this. If these players don't want their likeness used, then they can also pay their own way through college. Schools sell jerseys with current popular players' numbers on them, but don't use names. Schools, television networks and the NCAA promote games using images and videos of current players. Really, the game is just another form of promotion for college football. And the revenue generated by the licensing brings money into the NCAA, which is then spent on many other things that benefit student athletes.

Except that's not an option. If these athletes want to play college sports at all, they have to sign away their likeness rights to have amateur eligibility. Take Andrew Luck, for example. His family was already quite wealthy when he enrolled at Stanford. If he could have just forfeited his scholarship for the right to sign endorsement deals he would have done it in half a minute. He likely would have come out way ahead.

[bccards13]

I say pay the players out of the NCAA's pocket. Quit making schools take away scholarships from successful students and giving them to athletes and just let the athletes get paid. Most of the really good athletes just take blow off classes to get through to the pros anyway.

The NCAA is too much of a corporation and needs to be reigned in. The players can't even use their own names because they're property of the NCAA. It's ridiculous! Just pay the players, and end this.

[Cryolemon]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

Because if they don't get any benefit from it, why would they sign it? I suppose the argument would be that players want to play as themselves in the game, but other then that they are signing away their likeness rights for no compensation at all.

They more or less do that now, since IIRC the schools themselves are allowed to use them in promotional materials.

[jeebs9]

This isn't good at all. I've always loved naming players. But I've always knew something like this would eventually come to a head. We all know what's going on when we get the game and now that we can switch roster online. It's even more wide spread. oh well.. I guess I'll get the next NCAA just for good old sake.

[jlmattick54]

This will eventually end college sports games totally I have a feeling. Hey O Bannon maybe you should have graduated college. How was that ligament he was gifted from a cadaver not a special benefit?

[jwjones]

Screw Ed O'Bannon! Just because he wasted his talents that were given to him by the Nets & he wasted it doesn't mean he screw over society for their right to have fun. He is a loser.

[loccdogg26]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

You guys in here getting angry over stuff that you can't control. Smh. On another note EA was doing the same thing on Madden by putting legendary players on there without permission until they were sued by Jim Brown and others.

[T-Moar]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

In all honesty, O'Bannon and Co. are probably in the right here. My question is, though, what does this mean beyond the NCAA series? Are schools still going to be able to sell jerseys without names and not pay the players? Will we see a model for college athletes like the one we see for Teaching Fellows, where they're not even allowed to get outside jobs, but they get paid a little bit? This could very easily have implications beyond the athletic world, and if it comes to a ruling (it won't) the decision needs to be worded very carefully.

[Cryolemon]

Re: EA Study Claims It Doesn't Use All College Likenesses in Video Games, Just Some

In all honesty, O'Bannon and Co. are probably in the right here. My question is, though, what does this mean beyond the NCAA series? Are schools still going to be able to sell jerseys without names and not pay the players? Will we see a model for college athletes like the one we see for Teaching Fellows, where they're not even allowed to get outside jobs, but they get paid a little bit? This could very easily have implications beyond the athletic world, and if it comes to a ruling (it won't) the decision needs to be worded very carefully.

That might be seen as a reasonable compromise.