Utah Quarterback Cam Rising Opts In For New College Football ’25 Game
Mar 4, 2024, 6:35 PM
SALT LAKE CITY – Utah quarterback Cam Rising announced via Instagram Monday evening he has opted in for the new EA Sports College Football ’25 video game coming out this summer.
If a player opts in, like Rising has, EA Sports can use that player’s name, image, and likeness in the game, allowing fans the opportunity to “be” their favorite player or college football team.
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Cam Rising, Other Athletes Being Compensated By EA Sports For NIL
Those of a certain age likely remember the original EA Sports NCAA College Football video games well. They also probably remember the hoopla (rightfully so) around using player’s name, image, and likeness to sell the games, but not giving a cut to the actual athletes featured, hence the game’s hiatus.
June 21, 2021, changed that with the passage of NIL giving the ability to student-athletes to make money off their name, image, and likeness.
We’re in the game. 🙌@EASPORTSCollege | #CFB25 pic.twitter.com/T7qBKB48I5
— Utah Football (@Utah_Football) February 22, 2024
In this new rendition of the beloved video game, EA Sports is reportedly offering athletes $600 and a copy of the game if they opt in.
For student-athletes such as Rising, a separate brand ambassador deal was likely reached with EA Sports that is expected to be at a higher value than the reported $600.
This is the first time such a move has been allowed in a college sports video game.
Other Utah Football Announcements Likely Coming
EA Sports posted to X earlier in the day that they have had 10,000+ college football players opt in to be a part of the new College Football ’25 video game.
According to Matt Brown who covers the business end of sports quite extensively, that number equates to about 90% of the college football population, meaning, despite no other official announcements yet out of Utah football’s camp, other players are likely to be featured as well.
This would mean that any organized opposition to the proposed opt-in contract is now pretty much already dead. Over 10K is roughly 90% of eligible athletes already signed https://t.co/DrrWH7S4Id
— Matt Brown (@MattBrownEP) March 4, 2024
Michelle Bodkin is the Utah Utes Insider for KSLsports.com and host of both the Crimson Corner Podcast (SUBSCRIBE) and The Saturday Show (Saturday from 10 a.m.–12 p.m.) on The KSL Sports Zone. Follow her on X, Instagram, and Threads: @BodkinKSLsports
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