NCAA Football: EA Sports confirms video game is still set for 2024 release

The NCAA Football video game series has been without a new installment since NCAA Football 2014 came out prior to the 2013-2014 college football season. Legal issues stemming from multiple lawsuits (most famously, the Ed O’Bannon case) had already killed the NCAA Basketball series, and the EA Sports football game followed just a few short years later.

Then, in 2021, sports video game fans and college football fans rejoiced to hear that thanks to new NIL rules in college athletics, the NCAA Football game was set to return. With 2023 set as the original release goal, the game was quickly pushed back to 2024, and some of the excitement turned to worry.

That worry has only increased as several college football players and, more prominently, the College Football Players Association (headed by Clemson alum Justin Falcinelli), have threatened to boycott the game or pursue legal action against its production.

However, on Tuesday, a representative from EA Sports told On3’s Pete Nakos that the franchise will return next summer.

The biggest hurdle for the game’s creation appears to be working with players on name, image, and likeness licensing. The expected offer to players was reported in June to be around $500 per player, something most athletes appear happy to accept. No royalties are expected to be offered, though a special deal for a “cover athlete” has been rumored.

However, some players (and, more specifically, some players’ agents) have expressed that they believe they are “worth more” than $500.

Speculation has been that EA Sports will simply offer an “opt-in” or “opt-out” option to players: players who opt-in will be included in the game and will receive $500, and players who choose to opt-out will not be included and will not be paid.

Production is far enough along in the game that EA Sports has had representatives on college campuses scanning stadiums and facilities, receiving pictures of uniforms, mascots, cheerleaders, etc., and documenting fight songs.

According to the Athletic’s Chris Vannini, the transfer portal will be part of the game, and NIL could be included, as well.

NCAA Football will be back in the summer of 2024.