EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

[swiftychampleone]

You can't blame O'bannon, and Keller for EA not making a game. Lol. All they havr to is keep a helmet on the players vs e, use throwing motions from THE NFLPA contract, and use city names instead of licensed names of the schools. You cantbtelk me they won't save money, and make the game more interesting. Add features for the user to change the names or replace the teams. BUT this tells me EA is lazy and can care less about gaming from the shoes of a consumer, but the profits off naive consumers.

Exp. Teambuilder, Backbreaker, 2K APF,

NES Tecmo Bowl needs to return. Sega messed up sports gaming. I mean when it was electronic arts, they produced good games, but EA got lazy.

I wish Backbreakee would return to consoles and change the camera view.

Alright Biz, who's going to buy these :"barebones"/"generic" sports games?

[cgalligan]

Nice Job O'Bannon... Instead of looking at is as an "honor" and thinking it was "cool" to be "in" a video game... you selfish bastards made a big deal out of it... all for what??? a few hundred dollars???

Thanks... Thanks allot...

I couldn't agree more with this post -- ""
I'm unsure what you're trying to say? I do love college sports, but being around it & actively involved with it - I'm unsure what's so tough about it... You practice, watch film, lift, each free meals, are worshiped by the fan base, etc. Sure, it's a huge time commitment, but they know what they're signing up for. What else do you want especially when only a handful of universities turn a profit. Stop whining - you benefit the university as much as the name and brand of the university benefits you, the athlete.""

Sure, being an athlete is hard... But to say these guys don't get "paid" for their time is a joke... Do they get "paid" as much as the NCAA or their Universities they play for? Hell no... But, what employee of a company makes anything close to the amount of money the owner of the company makes???

[BizDevConglomerate]

Alright Biz, who's going to buy these :"barebones"/"generic" sports games?

I think the same ppl who but these games. It depends on how it's made. For instance Bill Walsh College Football, no real names of schools, in these times if the game had the same number of schools as we see on Saturday, season variable season formats, and gameface or teambuilder with rostershare it will work. The marketing has to educate the consumer on changes, because your everyday consumer won't understand as a hardcore gamer would about rosters, and changing teams.

Develop a bball- College & Pro, football college & pro baseball as well, and I believe it will sell. The industry needs to change. And a community group needs to emerge in gaming similar to the Green Bay Packers community ownership. Identify a board of directors to organize the company and structure and direction. But from the community.

This is the the only way to ensure gaming that is spot on. How much do you think companies listen to the fans? How much do you think the miss?

This is my point.

I have this wild belief that gaming needs to go strictly to cloud, and offered as DLC, EVERY 2-3 YRS. this way updates and rosters don't get passed as a drastic change. But also saves money and time.

also offer a rent option if your away from your profile or system.

There needs to be a huge shift in gaming just like any other sector, and like business, it needs to be a free market. Word up.

[swiftychampleone]

I think the same ppl who but these games. It depends on how it's made. For instance Bill Walsh College Football, no real names of schools, in these times if the game had the same number of schools as we see on Saturday, season variable season formats, and gameface or teambuilder with rostershare it will work. The marketing has to educate the consumer on changes, because your everyday consumer won't understand as a hardcore gamer would about rosters, and changing teams.

Develop a bball- College & Pro, football college & pro baseball as well, and I believe it will sell. The industry needs to change. And a community group needs to emerge in gaming similar to the Green Bay Packers community ownership. Identify a board of directors to organize the company and structure and direction. But from the community.

This is the the only way to ensure gaming that is spot on. How much do you think companies listen to the fans? How much do you think the miss?

This is my point.

I have this wild belief that gaming needs to go strictly to cloud, and offered as DLC, EVERY 2-3 YRS. this way updates and rosters don't get passed as a drastic change. But also saves money and time.

also offer a rent option if your away from your profile or system.

There needs to be a huge shift in gaming just like any other sector, and like business, it needs to be a free market. Word up.

This sounds great and all, but realistically there's a small market for guys that would buy these games. The casual gamer is the biggest share of the market. They're the folks that want to see the NCAA, BIG 10 and SEC logos on the field when they play this game. I see your comment on Bill Walsh Football and it worked back in '94. It's just not going to work now. We've evolved from that and had a college game with all of the licensing. Look at the sales for APF 2K8 and Backbreaker. The games were good, but not all good games sell. You and I know this.

Sure, we can mod teams and make 'em similar to the NFL or NCAA. How many folks have time on their hands to do that? Not many. People have schedules these days. People want to simply pick up and play.

[da ThRONe]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

Dude, you are making a fool of yourself. Just stop.

And really, Ground's Keepers? Trainers? Tutors? - They def shouldn't be cashing in their $35K per year to keep YOUR fields in pristine condition so YOU can play YOUR GAME. The tutors shouldn't be compensated either to keep your stupid *** eligible, and the trainers need not even show up anymore when you can't figure out why your foot hurts.

Maybe the poor souls that have to wash your uniforms and tighten up helmets shouldn't get a dime (many are just interns anyway) because you can do your own laundry. Do you even realize how much time, effort, resources, and bodies already go into your football playing days?

That's not even getting into the administration portion that you mentioned with AD's and marketing departments which go to great lengths in an effort to help put butts in the seats when your team sucks. But it's obvious you don't consider all that because you're busy with your image and complaining about how "exploited" you are.

Amateur athletes are playing for a college which does way more than focus on football/basketball. Athletes are nothing but bodies wearing the name of the school while they get a hell of a lot more perks than the average student. I'll admit that I'm unsure exactly how the sports revenues are precisely distributed (that you feel so entitled to), but it is eventually funneled into new facilities, professor's salaries, campus buildings, the student recreation center, etc. You know - things that make the university run properly, so you actually have somewhere to play?

It's different than the pro's because with the NFL or NBA - there's no ancillary costs that the universities face. No students, teachers, lab equipment, bike paths, rec centers, on & on to take care of and provide for. Just the arena, staff, and players. Once you get to that level, then & only then should you be able to "get yours".

Again no is addressing the actual issue here. If the NCAA removes the rules that prevent SA's from making money from 3rd parties none of the other things the individual schools do with the surplus would be disturbed. For the I don't know how many times nobody has a legit reason based on statistics and logical reasoning why these players shouldn't be able to receive any form of compensation from a 3rd party. Instead y'all are arguing about why the schools aren't paying the students directly.

[BizDevConglomerate]

This sounds great and all, but realistically there's a small market for guys that would buy these games. The casual gamer is the biggest share of the market. They're the folks that want to see the NCAA, BIG 10 and SEC logos on the field when they play this game. I see your comment on Bill Walsh Football and it worked back in '94. It's just not going to work now. We've evolved from that and had a college game with all of the licensing. Look at the sales for APF 2K8 and Backbreaker. The games were good, but not all good games sell. You and I know this.

Sure, we can mod teams and make 'em similar to the NFL or NCAA. How many folks have time on their hands to do that? Not many. People have schedules these days. People want to simply pick up and play.

I agree with you, but the gamer has to have time. And the monopolies know this. We make time fir E3 we make time to check these blogs, we make time for load screens, and downloading updated rosters inside the game.

This is my point. Change is necessary, and evolution doesn't only belong to nature. Times are changing, you can't br overall happy with the games. For me it's headed to give up on em if they don't get better. Were throwing money away in my opinion. These games aren't cheap, and they say it's not cheap to make.

My background:
Middle line backer HS, JUCO
Major in JUCO- Communications/Color Analyst
BBA International Business.

Why is this important, I played sports at a high level, and have been around big time sports since a kid. I know what sports look like, sound like, and cost to be great. I studied marketing and the science of business. If this idea had a team, the marketing dept would be responsible for getting ppl ready for the new changes.

The same has happened to Cell phones, cars, TV'S and even education. Look at online campuses vs. Ground.

So out the box the game needs to reflect what we see, similar to PES did. And look how many ppl bought PES. What we do differently is educate the consumer about the community aspect and roster changes. Give access to the rosters so the rosters and be updated. The same way 2K has done this year with vids, Interviews, and blogs. That's the gaming community. Remember one thing. Kids don't buy games as much as tgeir parents do. And many gamers ate parents who grew up playing Madden, College bball/football/baseball and see the changes.

It's just work and it's possible. Look at the type of support ppl would Gove knowing it's a community driven company, development team, and marketing. Ppl love the underdogs.

This is my opinion. And I think it can happen.

[sportzbro]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

Again no is addressing the actual issue here. If the NCAA removes the rules that prevent SA's from making money from 3rd parties none of the other things the individual schools do with the surplus would be disturbed. For the I don't know how many times nobody has a legit reason based on statistics and logical reasoning why these players shouldn't be able to receive any form of compensation from a 3rd party. Instead y'all are arguing about why the schools aren't paying the students directly.

It's abundantly clear you really have no grasp on this issue other than, "I should be able to sign a deal with Nike as a sophomore and still get everything else." - It's not that simple.

• How do you actually go about distributing 3rd party compensation?
• Is it additional perks or straight up payments?
• Who brokers these deals, what are their fees, who hires them?
• What players are entitled to it?
• What happens if you fail your classes - are you still eligible for those payments?
• Is it just for individual players or an entire team?
• How much are they entitled to - Is there a cap?
• Does every player receive equal amounts or is it based on performance and time played?
• Does it cover all athletes and not just football and basketball?
• How does it effect how much of their tuition, housing, food, etc. is covered by the university?
• Since they're getting paid by 3rd parties, they should be able to pay for their own tuition, books, etc. right?
• Can you tax the compensation, and if so how much goes to party X, Y, the school and government?
• How will wealthy boosters that were once band members or tennis players for university react when their programs' members and players aren't able to receive these additional benefits?
• Can boosters and alumni pay the players acting as some 3rd party endorser?
• Since players can now be paid by 3rd parties, will boosters be more or less willing to shell cash donations for the school?
• What will be the outlining qualifications to be recognized as an official 3rd party endorser?
• What if an athlete signs a deal with Nike, but plays for an Adidas school, or even refuses to wear the Adidas brand?
• Since they are being compensated like professional athletes, can they be fined on top of suspensions?
• Who determines and/or collects these fines?
• How will players who have signed on to do advertising effect supposedly unbiased voters when they see certain players on certain teams every commercial break?
• Where, in your very, very busy schedule do you have time for commercials, TV spots, paid appearances, paid lectures, or paid autograph sessions?
• How will it effect the marketing plan that's already in place for the team when certain athletes have their own 3rd party commitments?
• What about the usage of official school marks in said 3rd party agreements?
• Does the CLC get a piece of this? What about the school? Can they even use the school's identity in their dealings with 3rd parties?
• How does the general student body react when their fellow classmates that are also athletes have a free ride, perks, and are now receiving endorsement deals?
• Are they able to accept these deals before signing with a college?
• How will this effect recruiting?
• How will this effect high school or AAU athletes, and where do you put the cutoff point?
• Will being able to sign these 3rd party deals effect draft eligibility?
• Can you then sign with an agent as a freshmen in college?
• How does the athletic department handle dealing with athletes who are already represented by agents?
• What if players are being advised by agents to not play at certain schools, or play at certain positions?

It's Pandora's Box, and would effectively kill amateur sports. There is no other answer - it's common sense. You don't need "statistical" data on the matter.

They are not professional athletes. What you fail to realize with your simple "get mine" scope on the subject is that once you remove the rules you're gonna need to add even more.

[swiftychampleone]

I agree with you, but the gamer has to have time. And the monopolies know this. We make time fir E3 we make time to check these blogs, we make time for load screens, and downloading updated rosters inside the game.

This is my point. Change is necessary, and evolution doesn't only belong to nature. Times are changing, you can't br overall happy with the games. For me it's headed to give up on em if they don't get better. Were throwing money away in my opinion. These games aren't cheap, and they say it's not cheap to make.

My background:
Middle line backer HS, JUCO
Major in JUCO- Communications/Color Analyst
BBA International Business.

Why is this important, I played sports at a high level, and have been around big time sports since a kid. I know what sports look like, sound like, and cost to be great. I studied marketing and the science of business. If this idea had a team, the marketing dept would be responsible for getting ppl ready for the new changes.

The same has happened to Cell phones, cars, TV'S and even education. Look at online campuses vs. Ground.

So out the box the game needs to reflect what we see, similar to PES did. And look how many ppl bought PES. What we do differently is educate the consumer about the community aspect and roster changes. Give access to the rosters so the rosters and be updated. The same way 2K has done this year with vids, Interviews, and blogs. That's the gaming community. Remember one thing. Kids don't buy games as much as tgeir parents do. And many gamers ate parents who grew up playing Madden, College bball/football/baseball and see the changes.

It's just work and it's possible. Look at the type of support ppl would Gove knowing it's a community driven company, development team, and marketing. Ppl love the underdogs.

This is my opinion. And I think it can happen.

If these companies are inclined to give it a shot, let them. Cool background and it helps you have a clear understanding of sports. This is my opinion but I just can't see it. You know we're the "lazy" generation that cares less about being creative and wants it done for us. This may be accomplished in individual sports like a "barebones" wrestling, boxing or MMA. Team sports? Totally different. I'm thinking about all of the things I want out of my league in a team sports league like Baseball, Hoops, Football and Hockey. I want my league to have parity. But in order to achieve that, I have to go to each team create star and superstar players to balance it out. That's a lot of work for the gamer. But like you say, if folks choose to make time for it, then it's no issue to them. History shows that trying this method isn't so successful. Brand recognition sells.

[da ThRONe]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

It's abundantly clear you really have no grasp on this issue other than, "I should be able to sign a deal with Nike as a sophomore and still get everything else." - It's not that simple.

• How do you actually go about distributing 3rd party compensation?

Is this serious? The 3rd party seeks out each individual athlete.

• Is it additional perks or straight up payments?

It's whatever the 3rd party chooses

• Who brokers these deals, what are their fees, who hires them?

That would be up to each individual SA

• What players are entitled to it?

Anybody. Just like you have the right to do a deal or accept money from any party you choose.

• What happens if you fail your classes - are you still eligible for those payments?

Yes. These arrangements are either gifts or seperate endorsements.

• Is it just for individual players or an entire team?

Individuals. Also it would make sense for these kids to have some type of union that handle other grieves

• How much are they entitled to - Is there a cap?

No there's no cap

• Does every player receive equal amounts or is it based on performance and time played?

It's based solely on the 3rd party.

• Does it cover all athletes and not just football and basketball?

All student athletes.

• How does it effect how much of their tuition, housing, food, etc. is covered by the university?

Not at all. Since it doesn't actually effect the individual schools bottom line.

• Since they're getting paid by 3rd parties, they should be able to pay for their own tuition, books, etc. right?

Again this doesn't affect the student relationship to their respective schools since all money comes from a 3rd party.

• Can you tax the compensation, and if so how much goes to party X, Y, the school and government?

Of course endorsement money will be tax. Is this a serious question. They'll be taxed based on State and Federal laws. Same with gifts they'll all have to be legal. Which should be common sense.

• How will wealthy boosters that were once band members or tennis players for university react when their programs' members and players aren't able to receive these additional benefits?

Who said it doesn't apply to all SA's?

• Can boosters and alumni pay the players acting as some 3rd party endorser?

Boosters can give the money directly to SA's so long as it complies with State and Federal law with giving gifts or money.

• Since players can now be paid by 3rd parties, will boosters be more or less willing to shell cash donations for the school?

Not a booster can't answer this question.

• What will be the outlining qualifications to be recognized as an official 3rd party endorser?

If it's a must every 3rd party qualify as either booster or endorser setting up said qualifications would not be difficult at all.

• What if an athlete signs a deal with Nike, but plays for an Adidas school, or even refuses to wear the Adidas brand?

See actual pro sports league. Each kid would wear the team unies, but wear their endorser accessories.

• Since they are being compensated like professional athletes, can they be fined on top of suspensions?

False they are not compensated like pro athletes. This line make me question your understanding of how this would work altogether.

• Who determines and/or collects these fines?

Can a school fine a student on a academics scholarship just because they have a form of income seperate from the school?

• How will players who have signed on to do advertising effect supposedly unbiased voters when they see certain players on certain teams every commercial break?

This is almost too silly to responed to. How does this change anything. Even now some athletes get more exposure than others.

• Where, in your very, very busy schedule do you have time for commercials, TV spots, paid appearances, paid lectures, or paid autograph sessions?

And another silly comment. They have more than enough down time to make it work.

• How will it effect the marketing plan that's already in place for the team when certain athletes have their own 3rd party commitments?

I have no clue, however using this as a reason not to is very illogical.

• What about the usage of official school marks in said 3rd party agreements?

All rights belong to the school. So either both SA and 3rd party has to get approval from the school.

• Does the CLC get a piece of this? What about the school? Can they even use the school's identity in their dealings with 3rd parties?

See the answer above

• How does the general student body react when their fellow classmates that are also athletes have a free ride, perks, and are now receiving endorsement deals?

Who cares? I fail to see how this even impact the average student in the slightest.

• Are they able to accept these deals before signing with a college?

Yes.

• How will this effect recruiting?

Can't say for sure. But please don't use the lack of competitive balance card when that balance doesn't exist under the current format.

• How will this effect high school or AAU athletes, and where do you put the cutoff point?

No cutoff point. There's no cutoff point in how much each universities can get in their deals. Nobody can say how it'll affect AAU or HS.

• Will being able to sign these 3rd party deals effect draft eligibility?

I can't see any reasons why it would.

• Can you then sign with an agent as a freshmen in college?

Yes. These guys need representation with their dealing with 3rd parties.

• How does the athletic department handle dealing with athletes who are already represented by agents?

Each group represent two seperate dealings. No need for either to have dealing with one or the others.

• What if players are being advised by agents to not play at certain schools, or play at certain positions?

How is that any different than an over bearing family member? Again it's still the coaches team and he makes the decision. If a kid don't like how he's being used he still only has the same option he has whether he has a agent or he's receiving compensation from a 3rd party.


It's Pandora's Box, and would effectively kill amateur sports. There is no other answer - it's common sense. You don't need "statistical" data on the matter.

They are not professional athletes. What you fail to realize with your simple "get mine" scope on the subject is that once you remove the rules you're gonna need to add even more.

1st I respect you at least asking some question about what is being suggested.

However you seem to be missing out on the most key element. They would still be amateurs. Pro athletes sign contracts and are paid solely for playing said sport. These young men and women would be playing a sport for their scholarships and benefits provided by the school. All dealing with 3rd parties would be seperate from school except when they seek out permission for using all things trademarked by the school. Samething afforded to ever other student on campus whether they are there on a scholarship or not.

[sportzbro]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

1st I respect you at least asking some question about what is being suggested.

However you seem to be missing out on the most key element. They would still be amateurs. Pro athletes sign contracts and are paid solely for playing said sport. These young men and women would be playing a sport for their scholarships and benefits provided by the school. All dealing with 3rd parties would be seperate from school except when they seek out permission for using all things trademarked by the school. Samething afforded to ever other student on campus whether they are there on a scholarship or not.

Thanks for the laughs.

[ubernoob]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

Same thing afforded to ever other student on campus whether they are there on a scholarship or not.

If they want to make some money in college, they don't have to play sports and can get a job just like every other student.

Playing a sport isn't something you're entitled to do. Other kids are paying fees to help subsidize everything about the sports. Other people (boosters, etc.) are paying to help subsidize everything about the sports.

I haven't known ONE D1 athlete outside of football and baseball (even then, nobody I personally knew - just the overblown media coverage about it) that has sat back and thought "Man I should get paid for this ****." It's silly, is what it is.

EDIT: Just so it doesn't come off the wrong way. I wouldn't be opposed to them being able to make money somehow, but I have not seen one alternate proposed that is realistic by any means. I'm not saying "NO" because "that's how it's supposed to be." I'm saying "No" because there have been no alternates proposed that would work.

Count me in for the scaling back of college athletics and actually treating the "Big 2" athletes like all the other athletes are treated, though.

[loccdogg26]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

Football draws the biggest revenue of the sports followed by basketball so they should get the money. I know its not fair to the other athletes but in the real world where I live "fair" doesn't exist.

[MBFranchise]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

Football draws the biggest revenue of the sports followed by basketball so they should get the money. I know its not fair to the other athletes but in the real world where I live "fair" doesn't exist.

Except that violates federal law.

In my eyes the best way to see what would be best for athletes (not just football and basketball, but all athletes) would be to ask them, "What would you rather have, an athletic scholarship or the ability to market yourselves?" Because if the students could make money off of their likeness, why would they need scholarships in the first place? This is the only way it could work with Title IX, to keep it how it is or completely erase athletic scholarships, which would hinder probably 99% of athletes.

[Kaiser Wilhelm]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

Football draws the biggest revenue of the sports followed by basketball so they should get the money. I know its not fair to the other athletes but in the real world where I live "fair" doesn't exist.

Not only is that a violation of United States Federal law, it isn't feasible. The reason college football and basketball work so well for the schools is it funds the other athletic programs that attract students to their schools. If you pay the men's basketball and football players, federal law be damned, you need to either cut other sports programs or raise tuition to God knows what level to offset the costs.

It will not happen. It isn't legal and it isn't business smart. When it is high school, everybody bitches and moans when sports, music and clubs get cut, but when it is college we should just cut everything to pay the football players.

Somebody mentioned trainers, and grounds keepers exploiting the athletes. So the trainer my high school hired exploited me? Really? I'm pretty sure he helped me to prevent shin splints and other physical ailments that plague runners. He also provided my teammates and I with a workout so we could not only maximize our potential, but have a healthy lifting routine. I felt so exploited.

For the grounds crew, this is just nonsense. Colleges have groundskeepers. Who do you think makes those lawns look picture perfect around all those old buildings? If anybody is being exploited it is the paying student, not the student athlete.

If federal law didn't prevent the NCAA from capping coaches and athletic director salaries, I'd favor that, but the Federal government doesn't like trusts for some reason.

[BenGerman]

Re: EA/CLC Settlement With O'Bannon Team Is $40 Million

I think the easy answer here is to create a minor league system of some kind in the NFL where players can go pro straight out of college. I agree that I don't want amateur sports killed off (I do think all NCAA athletes deserve a small stipend), but why are we trying so hard to keep them from making money?