Athlete Advantage releases statement supporting Brandr Group's lawsuit with EA Sports

Less than 24 hours after The Brandr Group‘s lawsuit against EA Sports was moved to the Northern District of California, one of the largest NIL agencies has come out in support of The Brandr Group.

Athlete Advantage, which represents more than 100 college football players, has released a statement to On3 backing The Brandr Group’s move. The firm operates multiple collectives, including Kentucky‘s 15 Club and USC‘s Conquest Collective.

Athlete Advantage also represents multiple SEC quarterbacks, including Florida’s Graham Mertz and Kentucky’s Devin Leary.

“This lawsuit represents a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice and rightful compensation for these talented athletes, and Athlete Advantage is honored to stand alongside Brandr Group in this crucial fight,” the agency said.

The Brandr Group is suing EA Sports for tortious interference over the gaming company’s attempt to retain players’ rights while evading The Brandr Group’s group licensing contracts with more than 54 Division I institutions.

A management, marketing and licensing agency, The Brandr Group reportedly gives athletes the option to enter into the group licensing deal. The lawsuit alleges that EA promised to “enter into direct agreements with TBG at all schools where TBG has rights.” EA’s Chief Business Officer Paul Cairns also stated the company, “100% plans to work with TBG,” according to the lawsuit.

Last month, EA contracted OneTeam Partners to facilitate college athletes’ likeness. The group licensing company has not returned a request for comment.

Athlete Advantage, Brandr Group call for fair payout

Details of the agreements are still murky, but a source indicated to On3 at the time cash pool was in the $5 million neighborhood, which would pay out to $500 per player. Athletes will reportedly not make royalties off the game, either.

Since then, the College Football Players Association called for a boycott of the game. And The Brandr Group’s lawsuit called the payout “far below market value.”

“It is only fair that they receive fair compensation for their contributions, both on and off the field,” Athlete Advantage said. “By supporting the Brandr Group and the athletes involved in this lawsuit, Athlete Advantage aims to amplify their voices and advocate for long-overdue reforms in collegiate sports.”

This will be the first EA Sports college football game since 2013. It will also be the first video game that FBS athletes have been given the opportunity to benefit from their NIL. The origin of NIL traces back to the late 2000s when former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon and 19 others sued the NCAA, arguing the organization violated United States antitrust laws by not allowing athletes to make a share of the revenues generated from the use of their in broadcasts and video games.

“As an agency dedicated to fairness and equal treatment, Athlete Advantage calls upon all stakeholders in the sports industry to support the rights of college athletes,” the NIL agency said. “It is time to embrace a more equitable system that empowers athletes, enables them to profit from their NIL, and ensures a sustainable and prosperous future for collegiate sports.”