Electronic Arts Sports, the video game giant, and Collegiate Licensing Company have settled all claims brought against them by plaintiffs in the joint Sam Keller and Ed O'Bannon lawsuit over the use of college athletes' names, images and likenesses, according to a court filing.
Terms of the settlements are confidential but it’s said to be worth $40 million, according to the New York Times. Thousands of college athletes – including current athletes – names or avatars have been used in EA games since the early 2000s.
Electronic Arts Sports also said it wouldn't produce its 2014 college football video game and is “evaluating our plan for the future of the franchise.” The company said it was due to ongoing lawsuits concerning the use of college athletes' names, images and likenesses.
“This is as profoundly disappointing to the people who make this game as I expect it will be for the millions who enjoy playing it each year,” Cam Weber, the general manager of American football for EA Sports, wrote on the company's website.
With EA and the CLC out of the O'Bannon lawsuit, the NCAA is the only remaining defendant. The defendants are suing the NCAA over compensation for the television money the NCAA, college conferences and individual programs make while showing the exploits of student-athletes. They’re seeking a 50-50 share of TV revenue in college sports. On Friday, the NCAA told USA Today it will fight all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court if necessary.
