By Dan Zealley
Chris Vannini of The Athletic reported earlier today that EA Sports is increasing the amount that players will be receiving.
🏈🎮 NEWS: EA Sports will pay players $1,500 each in NIL for College Football 26, @TheAthletic has learned.
– That's more than double last year's $600 and comes after record game sales.
– Plus, more for ambassadors and cover athletes.
✍️ More details: https://t.co/CzNe5nH5zd
— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 18, 2025
After the massive anticipation for the return of EA Sports College Football 25, they announced
the increase after the success of the game. College Football 25 went on to become the highest-
selling sports video game of all time.
“Players will be paid a lot more money for appearing in this year’s edition of EA Sports’ college
football video game,” Vannini noted. “In an email to Football Bowl Subdivision players sent
Tuesday afternoon, EA Sports said it would increase players’ name, image, and likeness
payments from $600 to $1,500 for their inclusion in the upcoming College Football 26 video
game.”
That is a nice increase for a college student. The players also receive a copy of the game, and
some receive additional compensation when they act as brand ambassadors to promote the
game or if they appear on the cover.
More Sports News
That’s pretty awesome from EA Sports, even if it’ll be a hefty bill:
“In total, EA Sports will spend
more than $16.5 million for the NIL rights of players, the largest single-sport NIL deal ever,”
Vannini added.
It’s unlikely that CFB 26 will as successful as CFB 25 was. The game had been gone since 2013
and there was high demand. But it’s great to see the increase in NIL dollars for the players who
decide to participate.
