EA Sports has amended its licensing contract for College Football 27, raising athlete compensation but also tightening terms in ways that could limit future flexibility
According to a report by On3's Ross Dellenger, the new agreement sent to schools and players last week boosts the base payment from $600 to $1,500 per athlete. However, it removes a clause that previously allowed players to opt out of the deal in later years.
The move comes as Pathway Sports & Entertainment, an NIL-focused startup, has signed nearly 4,000 athletes and distributed more than $6 million while pushing for royalty payments from EA. The revised terms stop short of royalties, a benefit NFL players receive through their union. Leaders of Athletes.Org say the gap highlights the need for a players association in college sports.
In a statement sent to Dellenger on Wednesday night, EA Sports confirmed the changes to the latest contract sent to players and reinforced that athletes are “such an important part” of the game.
Pathway provided a statement saying, “We remain committed to our founding principle of supporting athletes in their pursuit of realizing their true value and working with partners, like EA, to bring the best experience for everyone in college football. These things do not have to be at odds and in fact, work better for fans of the game when we can all align.”
How this exactly ends is unclear. But this is only the latest in a long line of battles fought over college player rights and their fair market rate.
EA Sports returned to the college football market last year after a decade-long hiatus. While they've not struck a deal with Pathway, it raises questions about whether those athletes will appear in next year's edition of the game.
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