Reports: EA Sports increases player payments for College Football 26

Field Level Media|published: Wed 19th March, 15:53 2025

Alabama quarterback Jalen Milroe reacts as he plays the new EA Sports College Football 25 video game with young people at the McDonald Hughes Center in Tuscaloosa. Milroe is one of the players featured on the game’s cover.

College football players are reportedly getting a raise for appearing in EA Sports' next video game.

The name, image and likeness payments will increase from $600 to $1,500 for Football Bowl Subdivision players who are included in the upcoming "College Football 26" release, per multiple reports.

Players will also receive a Deluxe Edition of the game, and some will earn additional revenue for appearing in any promotional materials.

More than 14,000 players across the country opted into "College Football 25" and ultimately nearly 11,000 were used in the game, or about 85 players per team, according to The Athletic. The game went on to become one of the best-selling sports video games of all time.

The higher payments mean that EA Sports will spend more than $16.5 million for the NIL rights of the players.

The licensing company OneTeam Partners, which facilitated the players' deal, told Front Office Sports that it is continuing to negotiate for the possibility of additional royalties.

--Field Level Media