If you haven’t heard, a committee has been formed to explore the possibility that student athletes can be compensated for their likeness and image. OSU athletic director Gene Smith will serve as a co-chair on this committee.
If this is true, it could bring back one of the most popular video game franchises of all time, EA Sports NCAA Football.
Many remember the Ed O’Bannon lawsuit against the NCAA which resulted in the stoppage of video games, player names on jerseys, and so on. Now it seems a group is at least willing to explore the idea of student athletes being paid for the use of their name, likeness, and or image.
Smith made it clear that this is not student athletes being paid as employees.
“While the formation of this group is an important step to confirming what we believe as an association, the group’s work will not result in paying students as employees. That structure is contrary to the NCAA’s educational mission and will not be a part of this discussion.” – Gene Smith, OSU AD
However, if this decision does come to fruition, it could mean the return of the ultra popular NCAA Football video game which was last seen in 2014, where fans could build their own dynasty playing with this year’s crop of college talent, then build their own team by recruiting their own fictional five star recruits.
Someone with much clout in the world of NCAA football is speaking for all of us fans who are hoping the game makes a comeback.
Michigan QB Denard Robinson was the last player to grace the cover of NCAA Football. As Ohio State fans, maybe we can blame the disappearance of the game on the Wolverines. After all, they do seem to be cursed.
Either way, here’s to hoping for a return of the dynasty building, Heisman winning, online rivalry playing game of our youth… or for some of us, our mid 30s. Play on!
