EA Sports does not plan to allow a pending lawsuit filed by a licensing company to interrupt its planned 2024 release of EA Sports College Football.
"We're incredibly excited to bring back an authentic college football experience for fans and athletes that have shown such passion for the franchise, and we're looking forward to delivering it in Summer 2024," an EA spokesperson told On3's Pete Nakos.
The Brandr Group, a licensing group for college athletes, sued EA Sports earlier this year claiming tortious interference after the gaming company reached an agreement with competitor OneTeam Partners to handle licensing deals for players.
A judge dismissed Brandr's attempt to gain a temporary restraining order in June. The two sides are set for an in-person hearing Oct. 19.
EA Sports says it plans to work with the College Licensing Company in addition to OneTeam. In a file to dismiss the lawsuit, EA Sports said there is no legal standing that would force the company to work with Brandr.
"EA SPORTS has announced that we are working with OneTeam Partners to manage the process for college football athletes to sign up and opt-in to be included in our upcoming EA SPORTS College Football game," the EA Sports spokesperson said. "There has been speculation around our plans. But it is just that—speculation. To be clear, we have not yet made any offers to any college athletes for this game."
"EA SPORTS has announced that we are working with OneTeam Partners to manage the process for college football athletes to sign up and opt-in to be included in our upcoming EA SPORTS College Football game," the EA spokesperson said. "There has been speculation around our plans. But it is just that—speculation. To be clear, we have not yet made any offers to any college athletes for this game."
Production of all college sports games stopped in wake of the lawsuit.
EA Sports announced plans to revive its annual college football game in February 2021 after the NCAA began allowing players to make money off their names and likenesses. Players who opt in to participating in future games will be compensated, though there has been no determination on how much each player will be paid.
Players are not expected to be given royalties for sales.
