UNLV and UNR’s football season begins later this month, but you can get a head start by loading up the newly released “EA Sports College Football 25” videogame.
EA Sports has revived its popular college football game series featuring actual player names, images, and likenesses (NIL) from over 11,000 U.S. collegiate football players; UNLV and UNR players included.
It’s the first game in the series in over ten years after lawsuits over NIL rights for athletes led to EA canceling the series.
That all changed after The National Collegiate Athletics Association passed NIL rules for players in 2021 following a U.S. Supreme Court case and settled an antitrust lawsuit for $2.7 billion this past June.
The new game includes players from the UNLV football team, which won nine games and went to a bowl game last year.
Karl Feak, UNLV’s Assistant Athletics Director for Marketing and Fan Development, said players were excited to be in the game.
“A lot of the football players remember playing the game when they were growing up,” said Feak.
“Having the opportunity to be a part of something that would commemorate their time as a college football student-athlete was something they wanted to be a part of.”
Feak said the most challenging aspect was providing EA Sports the necessary material to depict the players and UNLV as accurately as possible.
“[EA] asked schools for assistance in getting headshots of the players so they can get their avatars as close to the player’s real name, image, and likeness as they could.”
Feak added that UNLV players aren’t the only thing in the game.
“It’s really exciting that we’re able to showcase Allegiant Stadium. You’ll also be able to hear tracks from the Star of Nevada marching band that match up with the situational times that they’re played during UNLV football games.”
As mentioned, UNR’s Wolf Pack Football players are featured in the game too, along with their home arena, Mackay Stadium.
FINANCIAL AND MARKETING IMPACT
According to EA and Insider Gaming, the game has welcomed 5 million unique players since its launch on July 19th, and has already generated over $500 million in sales.
Each participating college football player also received $600 and a copy of the game. But what about the schools?
“UNLV will receive a five figure royalty. They are decided by EA loosely around where each football team is finished over a four year rolling period in the rankings,” Feak said.
“There’s a lot of incentive for teams to do well if they’re looking for additional royalties.”
But outside of money, perhaps the biggest impact the game could have on UNLV is increasing the school’s influence and exposure.
“It’s a great opportunity for fans and non-fans from all over the country to be exposed to UNLV through its football program. There are going to be some people that are very interested in playing the video game that now will be exposed to UNLV as a place to go to school,” Feak said.
“It also allows us to maintain a presence with fans even during off seasons. You can load up the game and play as the Rebels and get that fix.”
UNLV said it will continue to work closely with their college athletes to help them maximize their opportunities with NIL.
Guest: Karl Feak, assistant athletics director for marketing and fan development, UNLV
