Ohio State University

EA Sports settles $40 million case brought on by college athletes

Become a member of GB MAX to gain exclusive access to the industry and to the most influential global B2B leadership community in the business of gaming, entertainment, and tech. Join now and also get a VIP ticket to GamesBeat Next (Nov 2-3, SF).

EA Sports and the Collegiate Licensing Company plan to pay $40 million in a settlement agreement with student athletes seeking compensation for the use of their likenesses in video games like NCAA Football 14, according to the New York Times.

The suit was originally brought on by former UCLA basketball star Ed O’Bannon over four years ago. This settlement now leaves the NCAA as the lone defendant. The NCAA still plans to defend itself in the case.

Legal troubles like these have led to EA Sports deciding to not release a college football game in 2014, a first for the publisher since it released Bill Walsh College Football for the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis back in 1994.

EA Sports is still facing a right-of-publicity suit filed by former Arizona State University and University of Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller.