Electronic Arts Plans Return to College Football Videogames

By Sarah E. Needleman and Laine Higgins

Electronic Arts Inc. is bringing college football back to videogaming after a yearslong hiatus in a bid to bolster its already robust sports portfolio.

Under a new partnership with collegiate-trademark company CLC, EA will gain exclusive rights to make games that simulate U.S. college football. Game development work is just getting started, the company said, so it could take years before any games come to market.

National Collegiate Athletic Association rules don't currently permit third parties to use the name, image or likenesses of college athletes, but that could soon change as the organization has committed to rewriting its bylaws this year amid pressure from high-profile litigation and state legislation.

Write to Sarah E. Needleman at sarah.needleman@wsj.com and Laine Higgins at laine.higgins@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

February 02, 2021 13:10 ET (18:10 GMT)

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