Did you ever wonder if the college athletes portrayed in EA’s college sports games get paid for their likeness being used in a videogame? The answer, unfortunately, is no, and in a world that is already starting to ask for wages for college athletes, this quickly became a hot button issue and the subject of a lawsuit involving EA Sports and the Collegiate Licensing Company. Luckily, a settlement was reached recently that prevents further legal action from being taken. The settlement, which will arrange for $40 million to be distributed to college athletes who had their likeness used in an EA game, was decided in a United States District Court in Northern Carolina last Thursday.
Michael Hausfeld, lawyer for the players in question, said that terms are currently being discussed to determine how the money will be distributed. EA, CLC, and the NCAA all refused to comment.
Source: The New York Times