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The Brandr Group, a group licensing agency, has taken legal action against EA Sports regarding the upcoming College Football game.
According to a report from Front Office Sports, The Brandr Group has filed a request for a restraining order, potentially leading to a delay in the game’s release date.
The lawsuit between The Brandr Group and Electronic Arts centers around the future EA College Football Game. The Brandr Group alleges that EA is attempting to bypass its exclusive contracts by negotiating group licensing deals directly with schools and athletes.
The Brandr Group represents 54 schools and athletes who have signed individual contracts with the agency.
In response to the lawsuit, The Brandr Group has requested a temporary restraining order that would prevent EA from entering into deals with the schools and athletes involved in the dispute. If granted, this order could lead to a further injunction, prohibiting EA from taking any action until the lawsuit is resolved.
EA has stated its intention to release EA College Football in the summer of 2024. However, the game’s release date is contingent on the outcome of the motion filed by The Brandr Group, as well as the duration of the lawsuit and EA’s future plans.
FOS’s Amanda Christovich reported the lawsuit was filed recently. The Brandr Group claims that EA’s actions are an attempt to circumvent its exclusive contracts and undermine its negotiating rights.
The company argues that any potential harm to EA is outweighed by the irreparable harm that would be caused by not protecting the contractual rights of The Brandr Group and its partner schools and athletes.
EA, on the other hand, believes that the complaint lacks merit. The company filed its response, asserting that The Brandr Group has no claim over the athletes and that granting an injunction would hinder the freedom of student-athletes to make individual choices regarding the licensing of their NIL (Name, Image, Likeness) rights.
If The Brandr Group succeeds in obtaining an injunction, the release of EA College Football could indeed be delayed. However, several factors will play a role in determining the extent of the delay.
While the lawsuit primarily revolves around jurisdiction over athlete negotiations, it has sparked discussions about fair compensation. Reports have emerged suggesting that the terms of the deals offered by EA could be less than satisfactory.
The reported terms include a payment of approximately $500 per player with no royalties, along with strict exclusivity agreements. These terms are significantly below the industry standard, as video game characters usually receive recurring royalty checks.