Lipscomb’s virtual gridiron: EA sports college football and NIL brings the Bisons to life

As a new college football season kicks off, Lipscomb University remains without a football team, but fans of the sport have plenty to cheer about: a beloved piece of college sports culture made its long-awaited return this summer.

The College Football video game franchise, popularized by EA Sports’ NCAA Football series, holds a special place in the hearts of sports gamers. Spanning over two decades, the series became a cultural phenomenon, capturing the excitement, pageantry, and strategic depth of college football.

More than just a game, NCAA Football was a cornerstone of college sports culture. For many, each summer’s release was an event, offering players the chance to guide their favorite teams to national championships, relive historic rivalries, or create new programs. The dynasty mode, where players managed a team over multiple seasons, stood out as a fan-favorite feature, fostering long-term engagement.

But the franchise came to an abrupt halt in 2013 with the release of NCAA Football 14. Legal disputes over player likenesses—most notably involving former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon—sparked concerns about compensating college athletes for their appearances in video games. Under mounting legal pressure, EA Sports discontinued the series.

Fans spent years clamoring for the franchise’s return, and in 2021, EA Sports announced its revival under the new name EA Sports College Football. After years of anticipation, the return promises to honor the series’ legacy while adapting to the modern landscape of college athletics.

Conner Sarkovics, a junior accounting major from Fishers, Indiana, is one of the many fans thrilled by the game’s comeback. “I was excited for the game when it came out because it had been 11 years since NCAA Football 14,” Sarkovics said. “For years, I enjoyed playing Dynasty and Road to Glory until my game disk stopped working.”

Fans like Conner patiently waited for the franchise’s triumphant return. “To finally play the new game is a new experience while nostalgic,” he added.

A major reason for the game’s return lies in the introduction of Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) rules, which now allow college athletes to profit from their personal brands.

Historically, NCAA rules prohibited athletes from receiving compensation beyond scholarships and stipends, barring them from earning money through endorsements, autographs, or even social media. That all changed in July 2021, when the NCAA revised its rules, allowing athletes to profit from their NIL rights.

This landmark decision marked a significant shift, empowering athletes to monetize their visibility while maintaining their amateur status. Athletes can now sign endorsement deals, appear in advertisements, and create their own brands. In high-profile sports like football and basketball, NIL deals have opened new financial opportunities, though they’ve also introduced challenges, such as navigating legal frameworks and balancing team dynamics.

Scott McKenzie, a member of Lipscomb’s compliance staff, emphasized how NIL has impacted college athletes at Lipscomb. “At Lipscomb, I see student athletes utilizing their current passions and finding companies that will harness your passions to create opportunities,” McKenzie said.

Pertaining to the changing landscape of college athletics, McKenzie believes that NIL is a solution to getting paid for a “fair amount of work.”

NIL has also paved the way for EA Sports to resolve the legal and ethical challenges that ended the NCAA Football series. For the first time, college athletes can be compensated for their inclusion in the game, addressing past controversies while enhancing the game’s authenticity. Players can expect to see their favorite college stars accurately represented, knowing they are being fairly compensated.

For Lipscomb students, the absence of a football team doesn’t mean they can’t join the action. CFB25’s TeamBuilder option allows players to create custom teams, including Lipscomb’s. Through an EA Sports account, users can log in to the TeamBuilder website and either download one of the 92 Lipscomb templates created by the community or design their own to bring the Bisons into the game.

Sarkovics said he has not yet tried to play as Lipscomb, but is super excited about the idea of having a pseudo-school to cheer for in the game and sees himself leading the fake football Bisons to a title in the video game.

As fans eagerly await the release of EA Sports College Football, the revival of this iconic franchise represents more than just the return of a beloved game.It marks a new era in college sports, where athletes are recognized for their on-field performance and contributions to the broader sports culture.

For fans and players alike, the return of this game is a celebration of both tradition and progress, blending nostalgia with the excitement of what’s to come.