South Carolina football fans and fans from all over the country eagerly await July 19th. It is on that day that the long-anticipated EA Sports college football video game will be released. Now entitled "College Football 25" instead of "NCAA Football 25," the game will be brought back thanks to new NIL rules after a decade off the shelves.
Players who opted into the game received a $600 payment, had their likenesses put into the game, and are set to receive a premium copy of the game. However, the players in the game aren't the only ones getting a payday. In-game broadcasters and analysts are being utilized, and the schools, themselves are getting sizable checks, as well.
According to a report from Cllct Media, the payouts for the game were dispersed based on a four-tier system that took into account AP top-25 poll finishes over the last decade. Unfortunately for the Gamecocks, the last decade hasn't been the best in USC's history. Had the last 15 years been considered, Carolina would have been viewed in a better light.
As it stands, South Carolina football fell into the third tier, making $39,950.06 for their inclusion in the game. The Arkansas Razorbacks are the only other SEC program in the third tier, but other notable programs like the Colorado Buffaloes, Kansas Jayhawks, Wake Forest Demon Deacons, Minnesota Golden Gophers, and Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets were also in the tier.
The 2nd tier included 41 programs who have had a little more consistency than the Gamecocks in recent years, including SEC rivals like the Florida Gators, Tennessee Volunteers, Kentucky Wildcats, Missouri Tigers, Auburn Tigers, Mississippi State Bulldogs, Ole Miss Rebels, Texas A&M Aggies, and Texas Longhorns. Other programs like the North Carolina Tar Heels, NC State Wolfpack, and Florida State Seminoles also were in the 2nd tier.
The top tier was made up of the 13 schools who have had the most and best AP poll finishes over the last decade. That list included the Alabama Crimson Tide, Georgia Bulldogs, LSU Tigers, Ohio State Buckeyes, Notre Dame Fighting Irish, Oklahoma Sooners, Michigan Wolverines, Oregon Ducks, Penn State Nittany Lions, Oklahoma State Cowboys, Utah Utes, Iowa Hawkeyes, and the rival Clemson Tigers.