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Northwestern does not currently plan on participating in return of EA Sports College Football video game
Northwestern has become the second school to issue reservations regarding the upcoming return of the EA Sports College Football video game series.
Following Notre Dame’s lead, Northwestern does not plan on participating in the game’s return according to Steve Greenberg of the Chicago Sun-Times. The same issue that has Notre Dame expressing reservations has affected Northwestern, the upcoming Name, Image and Likeness issue.
While most assume Name, Image and Likeness laws will soon pass, allowing college athletes to legally receive sponsorship deals, it’s unclear what exactly those laws will look like when they do come into existence.
These decisions by Notre Dame and Northwestern could simply be a precaution against future lawsuits, but until they have a full understanding of the laws, it appears neither school plans on being in the upcoming EA Sports video game — at least, for now.
EA Sports currently has a deal in place with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), which Northwestern is a partner of, but 12 FBS programs are not. Notre Dame is not a member of the CLC.
Here is what Greenberg had to share regarding Northwestern’s issues with the upcoming release of the EA Sports College Football video game.
Notre Dame was the first school to publicly announce its decision to hold off on joining the 100-plus schools already signed on to participate. Northwestern made its decision last month, according to an athletic department spokesman. (2/4)
— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) February 24, 2021
“Our approval allows Illinois to be included in the development process,” the spokesman said, “and we would be supportive of any changes EA may incorporate should NIL pass.” (4/4)
— Steve Greenberg (@SLGreenberg) February 24, 2021
A graduate of the University of Tennessee, Michael Wayne Bratton oversees the news coverage for Saturday Down South. Michael previously worked for FOX Sports and NFL.com