Kirk Herbstreit and Chris Fowler, well-known personalities from ESPN's 'College GameDay,' have confirmed their participation as voices in EA Sports' upcoming college football video game. This announcement was made on social media, along with similar confirmations from analysts David Pollack and Jesse Palmer.
The news of these broadcasting updates coincided with reports that FBS football players were being invited by EA Sports to have their name, image, and likeness featured in the game, set to launch in the summer of 2024. EA Sports' vice president of marketing, communications, and partnerships highlighted the groundbreaking scale of this initiative, stating that it involves more than 11,000 individual Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) deals, providing guaranteed income for participating athletes.
The upcoming game, EA Sports College Football 25, will include all 134 FBS teams, as confirmed by the video-game developer. Notre Dame's inclusion in the game had been uncertain following their previous stance on student-athlete participation, but the Fighting Irish's athletic director recently announced their involvement, emphasizing the unique opportunities for student-athletes to benefit from their NIL.
Players who choose to opt in will receive $600 along with a copy of the game, according to EA Sports' vice president of business development. For those who opt out, a generic avatar based on historical position strengths or weaknesses will be used in place of their likeness. EA Sports has also indicated that gamers will not be able to create opted-out players, ensuring compliance with player decisions regarding their participation.
With these developments, EA Sports is pioneering a new era in college football video games, offering unprecedented opportunities for student-athletes to capitalize on their name, image, and likeness. The game's comprehensive roster, broadcasting talent, and innovative approach to player representation signal a significant step forward in the gaming industry's engagement with collegiate sports.
Sources: AP college football and AP college football
