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After years without a major college basketball video game, we might finally be on the brink of something exciting. EA Sports and 2K Sports are reportedly eyeing a comeback, inspired by the success of EA’s recent reboot of college football. Remember the last notable college basketball game, NCAA Basketball 10? It hit shelves back in 2009, and since then, fans have been itching for a new title. With recent developments in college athlete compensation, could the stars be aligning for a revival?
A Look Back: Current Landscape and Past Challenges
EA Sports first dipped its toes into college basketball gaming in 1997 with NCAA March Madness. The series gained a loyal following but never quite matched the commercial success of its college football counterpart. Fast forward to NCAA Basketball 10, the last title in the series, which marked the end of a saga plagued by profitability issues and licensing hurdles. Financial challenges played a crucial role in the decline, as these games struggled to compete with more lucrative titles in EA’s portfolio.
Licensing issues only added fuel to the fire. Unlike professional leagues, NCAA regulations historically barred college athletes from receiving compensation for their likenesses. This made it tough for EA to create a game featuring real players. Sure, they could use the NCAA’s branding, but they often had to rely on former players who had moved on to the NBA for cover athletes.
Legal disputes further complicated the situation. A landmark lawsuit from former UCLA player Ed O’Bannon shed light on these issues when he argued that EA used his likeness without permission in NCAA Basketball 09. This case resulted in a significant shift in how college athletes could monetize their image rights, potentially paving the way for new opportunities in the gaming market.
Shifting Tides: The New Era of College Sports
In recent years, the landscape of college sports has undergone a dramatic transformation. With the introduction of NIL (Name, Image, and Likeness) legislation, college athletes can now profit from their likenesses through sponsorship deals. This change opens the door for EA Sports to consider incorporating real players in new titles—something they couldn’t do before.
The release of EA Sports College Football 2025 has proven that there’s a thriving market for college sports games, attracting over five million unique players in just its first week. This success hasn’t gone unnoticed, prompting both EA and 2K Sports to explore the feasibility of stepping back into the college basketball arena.
Recently, EA’s social media hinted at exciting news with a post reading, “Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back.” While no official announcements have been made yet, reports suggest that a new college basketball game could hit the shelves as early as 2028, featuring both men’s and women’s teams. Could we be looking at a major shift in the gaming landscape?
The Potential Impact: Gaming and Sports Collide
The potential revival of college basketball games could tap into the surging popularity of college sports. CBS and Warner Bros Discovery are shelling out a staggering $900 million annually for the broadcast rights to March Madness, a tournament that’s seen record viewership in recent years. Imagine the excitement a new video game could generate, driving interest in college basketball and potentially boosting ticket sales and merchandise revenue!
Moreover, including women’s basketball in any new game would represent a significant step toward greater representation in sports gaming. The growing popularity of women’s March Madness, which recently attracted more viewers than the men’s championship game, showcases the market’s potential for inclusive gaming experiences.
As both EA Sports and 2K Sports weigh their options, the competition could reignite interest in college basketball video games. With advancements in technology and a shifting landscape regarding athlete compensation, the stage is set for possibly two major titles to emerge in the coming years. Will fans welcome back college basketball video games? Only time will tell, but the signs are certainly promising.