Lane Kiffin is not featured in EA Sports’ new College Football 25 video game. He wishes that was not the case.
The fifth-year head football coach at Ole Miss wants to be included and does not request a single penny in return. It’s not about money. It’s about recruiting.
Kiffin believes that the video game presents an opportunity for coaches to build their brands. His logic is simple.
A vast majority of college football recruits are going to play College Football 25. They are trying to decide on where to play, and which coach to play for. Getting exposure to those coaches from a young age could provide a boost in terms of status. The young athletes who love to play with a specific coach in the game might be more inclined to play for that coach when deciding on their commitment.
For example, imagine how cool it would be to score a touchdown with the Rebels as the video game version of Kiffin launches his clipboard into the air.
— Random Guy (@orezjc) November 15, 2020
Players who opt-in to College Football 25 will receive $600 and a free copy of the game.
Lane Kiffin isn’t worried about compensation.
Kiffin told Andy Staples that money is not a concern. He would lend EA Sports his NIL for free!
I would let them do it without any deal. I would just let them do it.
— Lane Kiffin
Any potential bump in recruiting, no matter how big or small, is priceless.
My brain things about “what would help in recruiting?” If you did pay me for that, I wouldn’t want it. I’d want you to put it into our NIL.
— Lane Kiffin
Although Lane Kiffin is all-in on College Football 25, his eagerness to be involved is also a testament to who he is in real life. Other coaches may not be as excited about the idea because they do not carry the same star power. It isn’t necessarily as fun to play with, say, Sam Pittman.
Still, even Pittman has nothing to lose by putting his Name, Image and Likeness in the game. There is no reason for coaches to opt-out and it seems like a no-brainer for EA Sports to put them in.
So put them in!