Paul Finebaum talks value of players in upcoming EA Sports college football game

Paul Finebaum didn’t quite understand the fuss over the players’ takes on EA Sports’ new college football video game.

The franchise is set to return in 2024, but there’s been back and forth between players and the game about opting in. Some said they don’t see their full value on display for using their likeness in the game.

NIL opened the floodgates for this possibility. And Finebaum sees the teams (or schools) as the much bigger and important brand than the players when playing the video game from EA Sports.

“Yeah, I understand that,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic. “Because right now, how many college players really matter? And I don’t mean that as an insult. I just mean it as a fact that we are fans of universities. We are not fans of individuals. We become fans of individuals once they go to the university and you guys understand that the loyalty of fan bases to those who played there is fierce. I mean, Greg McElroy and Cole Cubelic will never have to buy a drink again in Alabama because of what they did on the field and how they represented their universities. 

“That’s how we feel about it. But in playing a game, I care about Auburn beating Alabama, I’m not overly concerned about the individual player.”

Details of the agreements for EA Sports are still murky, but a source told On3’s Pete Nakos that the cash pool for athletes was in the $5 million neighborhood, which would pay out to $500 per player. Athletes will reportedly not make royalties off the game, either.

Some athletes have said the game’s biggest stars deserve more than $500. EA Sports clarified it has not offered a deal yet to athletes. The brand also said The Brandr Group’s lawsuit does not have “any merit.”

“There has been speculation around our plans, but it is just that – speculation. To be clear, we have not yet made any offers to any college athletes for this game,” the company said in its statement to The Athletic.

It’s been over a decade since a college football video game hit the shelves from EA Sports and in this day and age, where gaming has a new kind of following, people just want the game.

Sure, from the player’s perspective, they want to cash in. but how much will the game actually value a “lower level player” who might be a rotational guy at a Group of Five school? 

That’s not to say these are the players fighting for a bigger value and payout. And players like Caleb Williams, last year’s Heisman Trophy winner, should get a much bigger cut especially if he’s the cover athlete.

However the new EA Sports game looks, fans will play it regardless.