University of Missouri head coach Eli Drinkwitz is passionately encouraging his players to opt in to the new EA Sports College Football game even though his likeness will not be featured in it.
As you may recall, EA Sports is offering college football players from 134 FBS teams $600 and a free copy of the game in exchange for usage of their name, image, and likeness in the game.
The topic was brought up in a recent press conference. Here’s what the SEC coach of the year had to say:
“I think it’s really important for us, anytime we can market our brand, right? So if you’re going to have EA Sports, it’s not a complete game unless you tell the story of Mizzou football and the players we have here.
Obviously, I think it’s a great opportunity for our guys to opt in to receive money, to receive a free game.
You know I think sometimes it’s a catch-22 when people are saying ‘well they’re not being valued enough.’ Compared to what? Compared to not having the game and you’re not able to opt in, where now you get an opportunity to get paid and to get the game for free?
So I think sometimes opportunities have to be seized. As the game increases maybe there’s opportunities for them to do more with it, but I think it’s a great thing for college sports.”
He also noted that he was a gamer playing some of the earliest college football games on Sega Genesis and he, like us, is vert excited for the game to come back.
EA Sports College Football 25 is scheduled to come out in July 2024 on XBOX Series X|S and PlayStation 5.
Next up, hear from ESPN’s Chris Fowler on how voiceover work is coming along.