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Why EA Sports and 2K are returning to college basketball video games

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5 months ago

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Why EA Sports and 2K are returning to college basketball video games

Video game giants EA Sports and 2K have both suggested they could revive their dormant college basketball series following the success of the former’s College Football reboot.

There hasn’t been a major college basketball video game since 2009, and simulations based on the sport were never as popular as those focusing on football. However, the successful relaunch of College Football has led to speculation that the sport could be next in line.

EA Sports College Football 2025 was the first entry in the much-loved series since 2013 following a decade-long hiatus caused by licensing issues. It attracted more than five million unique players within its first week and became the best-selling sports video game of all time in the US.

Both EA Sports and 2K Sports sense an opportunity. SportsPro explores the factors behind the genre’s demise, what has enabled its return, and the potential impact one or more new titles could have on men’s and women’s college basketball.

NCAA Basketball 10 was the last entry in the series

Why did EA Sports and 2K retreat from college basketball?

EA Sports first published a college basketball game on the original PlayStation in 1997. ‘NCAA March Madness’ was based on the publisher’s NBA Live game engine, modified to take into account the differences between the professional and college games. The series attracted a keen fanbase but never threatened to challenge game critics’ best of year lists – nor did it achieve the same degree of popularity as EA’s NCAA college football series.

The final instalment was ‘NCAA Basketball 10’, released in 2009, after which the series went on a seemingly permanent hiatus.

Part of the reason was financial. The series wasn’t as profitable as other EA Sports titles which meant there was an opportunity cost. EA was also taking a step back from the sport of basketball at the time. NBA Live 10 was struggling to compete with the more critically acclaimed and popular NBA 2K series and would not appear again until 2013 before it too was canceled in 2020.

But there were also licensing issues. While EA Sports negotiates deals with professional player associations or individuals to include real athletes in its National Football League (NFL), National Hockey League (NHL) and EA FC simulations, no such mechanism existed in college sports as NCAA rules prevented players from receiving any payment – even with regards to image rights.

So while the NCAA could be paid to use its name, branding and competition formats, players couldn’t receive a penny. This explains why the cover star for each addition of EA Sports college basketball series was a former player who had since been drafted to the NBA and could therefore be paid.

But that’s not to say that NCAA players didn’t appear in the game. Former UCLA player Ed O’Bannon successfully argued in court that EA Sports had used his likeness in NCAA Basketball 09 without compensating him. He said an unnamed UCLA player had the same height, weight, appearance, skin tone and jersey number as him – only his name was missing.

EA Sports, which had already stopped making college basketball games, also pulled the plug on its college football series. Although it could still strike deals with the NCAA and individual colleges, it did not believe there was a legal mechanism that would allow it to use real players given the ongoing NIL restrictions.

Prior to its courtroom battle, EA had seemingly killed off the competition. 2K Sports originated as a brand for sports simulations on the much loved but commercially unsuccessful Sega Dreamcast before it was acquired by Take Two in 2005.

2K’s college football series ended in 2002 after just two entries but the critically acclaimed ‘College Hoops 2K’ series continued until its cancellation in 2008. Take Two was unable to agree a licensing deal with the College Licensing Company (CLC), which managed image rights for schools and competitions.

The suggestion was that EA was seeking an exclusive licence, which would have prevented 2K from recreating the world of college basketball in any realistic manner. EA had used the same tactic with the National Football League (NFL) in 2004 after the competitively priced and well-reviewed NFL 2K5 affected sales and perception of its Madden NFL series.  

The revival of EA Sports College Football has been a huge commercial success (Image credit: EA Sports)

Why could college basketball games come back?

O’Bannon’s lawsuit set the wheels in motion for wider changes in college sports. In 2019, individual states started passing NIL legislation and since July 2021 all student athletes have been able to monetise their NIL rights through sponsorship agreements. A landmark settlement finalised earlier this month has also facilitated direct payments from schools as part of revenue-sharing agreements.

Now that college athletes could be paid for their image rights, there was now a way for EA Sports to compensate them for using their appearance, attributes and name in a video game and it confirmed the return of its College Football series in early 2021. But shifting legal frameworks were only part of the equation. The college sports landscape remained incredibly complex.

EA inked a deal with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC) to ensure official team branding, kits, stadiums, mascots and other traditions could be used, as could the IP relating to the major conferences and the College Football Playoff (CFP). But all this would have been in vain without an agreement to include real players.

After much legal wrangling, the solution was an opt-in programme that offered any eligible athlete US$600 to be included in the game as well as additional cash payments made to players selected to promote the title. All players who signed up to the licensing programme will also receive a copy of the game for their chosen platform.

It took three years from announcement to publication, but EA Sports College Football provided a licensing blueprint for others, including a potential college basketball game to follow.

The cost of such a programme is less certain. At US$6 million, EA Sports’ licensing arrangement was the largest group NIL deal in history. However, given the phenomenal success of the game, it is probable the players will demand more money to be included in future titles. College basketball players could also demand more.

What have EA Sports and 2K Games said?

Earlier this week, EA posted semi-cryptically on X (the social media network formerly known as Twitter) ‘Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back.’ with a picture of a basketball adorned with the EA Sports logo.

While EA Sports hasn’t formally confirmed a new game is in development, its social activity and other reporting would appear to suggest that a new college basketball game is firmly in its sights. According to Extra Points, the new game could launch in 2028 and would feature both men’s and women’s college basketball teams and their respective March Madness tournaments.

Such a timeline would make sense. EA hasn’t released a basketball game in seven years and it will need time to assemble the necessary licensing framework. But, just like London buses, you wait more than 15 years for one college basketball video game and two arrive at once.

2K Sports, developer of the best-selling NBA 2K series, said in a statement that it was ‘exploring new ways to bring athletes and schools to life’. It also told a user on X, who suggested 2K should be the one to bring college basketball back, that “the campus has been quiet for too long”.

What does this mean for college sports?

A lot has changed since the last college basketball game was published, and not just in relation to NIL. CBS and Warner Bros Discovery pay a combined US$900 million a year for the broadcast rights to the men’s March Madness tournament, the most recent edition of which set a series of broadcast records along the way.

Any new game would be able to capitalise on this surging popularity and help drive it. Video game technology has advanced significantly over the past 15 years and is now a vital channel for engagement across multiple sports. A college basketball game would be able to reach younger fans and potentially drive ticket sales, merchandise income, and television ratings.

New modes such as online March Madness could be used to drive interest around tournament time, and in-app purchases could make such a title more commercially successful for EA Sports or 2K Sports. It’s also not inconceivable to think games could be used as a recruiting tool or a training application for players and coaches.

But perhaps the most significant legacy of a college basketball game could be with regards to women’s sport. Whilst the likes of EA FC and NBA 2K now feature women’s teams and competitions, women’s March Madness is one of the most high-profile women’s sporting events in the US and increasingly regarded on a par with the men’s equivalent.

ESPN is paying the NCAA US$920 million for more than 40 college sports championships, with women’s March Madness accounting for US$65 million of the contract’s US$115 million annual value. Meanwhile, the 2024 championship game attracted 18.87 million viewers – higher than the men’s game and the most ever recorded for a women’s basketball game.

The inclusion of women’s basketball would be a major step forward in terms of representation and would be a selling point in itself.

The big question is whether there is room in the market for two games. EA has the financial muscle but it has no annual basketball series to use as a foundation – unlike 2K Sports which, as a stablemate of Grand Theft Auto creator Rockstar Games, is no pauper either.

Whereas previous generations of video gaming allowed for multiple major franchises vying for supremacy in most sports, the cost of development and licensing has seen many fall by the wayside and even EA Sports has withdrawn from some markets.

But for now, college basketball looks like a golden opportunity and fans could be the beneficiary.

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Season Preview: Men’s Indoor Track and Field Ready to Build off Previous Seasons

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December 6, 2025

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WEST HARTFORD, Conn. The Hartford Men’s Track and Field team is eager to start the upcoming indoor season. The Hawks come off the heels of a Conference Championship a season ago, as well as a 14th place finish in the NCAA Division III New England Championship. The group looks to build on last year’s success to push themselves even further in the 2025-26 season. 

Familiar Faces:

Head coach Connor Green comes back for his third year at the helm of both the Men’s and Women’s Track and Field coach. He welcomes back 34 returners who look to make their mark following a successful season last year. Amongst the top returners is sophomore Aidan Lybarger (South Burlington, Vt.) who last year was honored as USTFCCCA Outdoor Track & Field All-Region in Discus, CNE All-Conference First Team (Discus), as well as becoming a school record holder (Outdoor Discus – 52.49 Meters).

“I think we’re going to have a pretty good season overall, especially from the throwers perspective. We all have gotten a lot better from last year which is amazing.” Lybarger said.

 

Senior Peter Effinger (Washingtonville, N.Y.) is also a key returner for the Hawks, coming off a CNE Academic All-Conference season, a year ago. 

“I’d like to go out and have a good season, set some PRs, and hopefully win another championship. Continue with hard training, making good progress in workouts, and trying to get under those milestones.” said Effinger.

 

Another key returner is junior Thomas Yonkers (Farmington, Conn.), who last season was honored as CNE Academic All-Conference, College Sports Communicators Academic All-District, School Record (Outdoor Pole Vault – 4.25 Meters).

“I think we’re looking to get back to the CNE and win the conference again, and we’re looking like a good team like last year. I’m most excited to see how the freshmen really develop their spots on the team. We’ve got a couple new vaulters, who I’m really excited to see this year in their first college season. ” Yonkers said. 

 

Season Outlook:

The Hawks will begin their season at the Yale invitational on Dec. 6th. Following that event they will take on the Wesleyan University Invitational on Jan. 24th. They will also compete in the John Thomas Terrier Classic at Boston University on Jan. 31st. The Hawks will close out the indoor track and field season at the NCAA Division III New England Championships in Boston at the New England at the Track of New Balance. 

For the latest information on Hartford Athletics follow the Hawks on Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.





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Kentucky Track and Field Opens 2025-26 Indoor Season at Commodore Winter Challenge – UK Athletics

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December 6, 2025

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LEXINGTON, Ky. – The Kentucky Wildcats track and field team is set for the start of a new indoor season this Saturday in Nashville, Tenn. at the Commodore Winter Challenge, hosted by Vanderbilt University.

For the first event of the new season, the Wildcats will send 45 total athletes to Nashville, competing across 21 separate events. The travel list for the weekend’s event is highlighted by returners Camden Bentley, Hannah Douglas, Sharmelle Holmes, Stacey Onyepunuka, Kate Powers and Emmi Scales on the women’s side and Grayson Brashear, Patrick Faust, Miles Jones, Devin Sealey and Anthony Waterman on the men’s side.

The Wildcats welcome 40 total newcomers to the 2025-26 roster, including 22 on the men’s side and 18 on the women’s side. Of the 40 new additions, 30 feature as true freshman, looking to make their collegiate debut this weekend for the Wildcats.

During the indoor portion of the 2025-26 schedule, the Wildcats will compete in eight meets, beginning with tomorrow’s event in Nashville. Following the turn of the calendar, Kentucky will host the Rod McCravy Memorial on Jan. 9-10 at the Norton Center in Louisville, Ky.

The final stretch of the regular season for the Cats consists of the Crossroads of America Invitational (Jan. 23-24), Razorback Invitational (Jan. 30-31) and the David Hemery Valentine Invitational and the Tiger Paw Invitational on Feb. 13-14.

For the second consecutive season, the Texas A&M Aggies will play host to the 2026 SEC Indoor Championships at the Fasken Indoor Track & Field Facility in College Station, Texas on Feb. 26-28. The 2025-26 indoor season will conclude on Mar. 13-14 in the Cats’ second trip to Fayetteville, Ark. for the NCAA Championships.

On Saturday in Nashville, Kentucky will compete against fellow SEC programs Tennessee and host Vanderbilt, as well as Arkansas State, Austin Peay, Belmont, Chattanooga, Lipscomb, Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

Competition for the Commodore Winter Challenge in Nashville is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. ET, starting with Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers and Addison Stadsholt representing the Wildcats in the women’s weight throw event.

 

Event Schedule

Commodore Winter Challenge: Saturday, December 6: ALL TIMES IN EASTERN TIME
Women’s Weight Throw 9:30 a.m. FINAL Meagan Ewers, Gwyneth Lori, Kate Powers, Addison Stadsholt
Women’s High Jump 9:30 a.m. FINAL Kemarah Howard
Men’s High Jump 9:30 a.m. FINAL Devin Sealey
Men’s Long Jump 11:00 a.m. FINAL Kingi McNair
Men’s Pole Vault 11:00 a.m. FINAL Grant Harrison, Jack Marek
Men’s Weight Throw 11:30 a.m. FINAL Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad, Cian Crampton
Women’s Long Jump 12:30 p.m. FINAL Dahlia Beasley, Julia Gunnell, Kemarah Howard, Skyler Reynolds
Women’s 60m Hurdles 1:00 p.m. PRELIMS Dahlia Beasley, Camden Bentley, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, Kori Martin, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Alene Washington
Men’s 60m Hurdles 1:25 p.m. PRELIMS Anthony Waterman
Women’s Shot Put 1:30 p.m. FINAL Dahlia Beasley, Meagan Ewers, Julia Gunnell, Gwyneth Lori, Addison Stadsholt
Women’s 60m 1:45 p.m. PRELIMS Briley Cline, Sharmelle Holmes, Naseera Efua Quansah, Briana St. Louis
Women’s Pole Vault 2:00 p.m. FINAL Kaylee Daniel, Annie Murphy, Chelsea Wetzel
Men’s 60m 2:00 p.m. PRELIMS Coy Hyre, Miles Jones, Jack Marek, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero
Men’s 60m Hurdles 2:45 p.m. FINAL TBD
Women’s 60m Hurdles 2:55 p.m. FINAL TBD
Men’s 60m 3:05 p.m. FINAL TBD
Women’s 60m 3:15 p.m. FINAL TBD
Men’s/Women’s Triple Jump 3:30 p.m. FINAL Theo Mudzengerere
Men’s Shot Put 3:30 p.m. FINAL Grayson Brashear, Brock Conrad
Women’s 300m 3:35 p.m. FINAL Dahlia Beasley, A’Laji Bradley, Briley Cline, Tressia Davis, Hannah Douglas, Julia Gunnell, Kashia Hoo, JahQueen McClellan, Rukia Nusra Omulisia, Emmi Scales, Briana St. Louis, Alene Washington
Men’s 300m 3:55 p.m. FINAL Tyrique Johnson, Brandon Nyandoro, TK Pahuwa, Zyrie Stewart-McLaren, Oscar Baltan Vivero
Women’s 600m 4:15 p.m. FINAL Vanice Kerubo Nyagisera
Men’s 600m 4:35 p.m. FINAL Patrick Faust
Women’s 4x400m 5:05 p.m. FINAL Kentucky
Men’s 4x400m 5:20 p.m. FINAL Kentucky

 

Follow Kentucky Track and Field and Cross Country on Facebook, Instagram, X, and UKathletics.com.





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Cyclones meet St. Thomas for NCAA Volleyball Championship first round – Iowa State Daily

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December 6, 2025

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The Iowa State volleyball team will return to the NCAA Tournament after missing out last season. The No. 23 Cyclones (22-7, 12-6 Big 12) will face the St. Thomas Tommies (21-9, 11-5 Summit League) in the opening round.

“This is the first time I get to experience something like this, and I’m just really happy I get to experience it with this group of girls in this program,” senior middle blocker Tierney Jackson said. “I’m ready to have a long run in Minnesota.”

Iowa State will be participating in its 18th NCAA Tournament, while the Tommies are making their first appearance in program history.

This is the first postseason St. Thomas is eligible to compete in after elevating to the Division I level for the 2021 season. The Tommies won their first Summit League Tournament, making them undefeated in Division I postseason play.

The Tommies secured their NCAA Tournament berth by claiming the Summit League title. St. Thomas defeated No. 1 seed South Dakota State in the Summit League Tournament championship.

The Tommies are the only team to defeat the Jackrabbits over the past two seasons, winning in 2024 and 2025.

The Summit League champion has not won an NCAA Tournament match for 28 seasons. The last tournament victory for the conference came in 1977 — a five-set win for Oral Roberts over Arizona.

The Big 12 does not hold a conference tournament, giving its automatic NCAA bid to the regular-season champion.

No. 8 Arizona State (26-3, 17-1 Big 12) had a near-perfect conference schedule, their one loss coming to the Cyclones on Oct. 31. The Halloween victory was Iowa State’s biggest win of the season.

“I am super excited to make the tournament and continue on our run with my favorite group of girls, and we’re excited to go to Minnesota,” senior setter Morgan Brandt said.

Iowa State team in huddle after loss against Kansas State, Hilton Coliseum, Ames, Iowa, Nov. 29, 2025. (Jaxon Carr)

Brandt was the Big 12 Setter of the Year and leads all active Big 12 players with 3,736 career assists. She also led a Cyclone offense that topped the conference in assists at 13.03 per set.

Iowa State occasionally switched from a 5-1 to give sophomore setter Ava Martin opportunities.

St. Thomas had an impressive nonconference schedule, with its best win coming against Big Ten opponent Northwestern. The Tommies won seven straight matches after defeating Northwestern, a program best since joining Division I.

The match will be played at Minnesota’s Maturi Pavilion, a venue where St. Thomas has already taken a set this season. The Tommies took a set from then-No. 11 Minnesota on Aug. 31, the first set victory against a ranked opponent in program history.

While the Cyclones are favored in this matchup, they have lost their last two matches, while the Tommies have won five straight.

These teams have met once before. In 2021, Iowa State swept St. Thomas in the same building as part of the Diet Coke Classic. The only active player from that match is Iowa State redshirt senior defensive specialist Paula Krzeslak. She has appeared in 94 matches across her Cyclone career.

Both head coaches have led their programs for more than 20 years. Christy Johnson-Lynch is in her 21st season with Iowa State, and Thanh Pham is in his 23rd season at St. Thomas. Pham coached the Tommies to a Division III national championship in 2012, while Johnson-Lynch has guided Iowa State to two Division I regional finals (2008, 2011).

“We never want to take the day for granted,” Johnson-Lynch said. “So we’re excited to get up there and get going.”

St. Thomas will play Iowa State at 4:30 p.m. Friday at Maturi Pavilion and will stream on ESPN+. The winner will advance to face either No. 4 seed Minnesota or Fairfield in the second round Saturday.



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Pilots Open Indoor Season at BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener

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December 5, 2025

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Event: BU Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener
Host: Boston University
Date: Saturday, Dec. 6, 2024
Location: Boston University Track and Tennis Center (Boston, Mass.)
Live Results: PortlandPilots.com
Live Video: PortlandPilots.com
 
SCHEDULE OF EVENTS & PILOTS’ ENTRIES
• Women’s Mile: 9 a.m (PT) | Rose Perotin
• Men’s 3000m: 11:40 a.m (PT) | Mark Milner
• Men’s 5000m: 4:15 p.m (PT) | Jonas Price
 
THIS WEEK
• The Pilots are set to compete at the Sharon Colyear-Danville Season Opener, hosted by Boston University in Boston. They will be represented in three events.
• Live results and video streaming are available on PortlandPilots.com.
 

Get Your Tickets Now!
Secure your spot now for any upcoming Portland Pilots ticketed home event by visiting PortlandPilots.com/Tickets or by downloading the Portland Pilots App. For group and fan experience package information, email pilotsboxoffice@up.edu.
 
Donate Today
Fans interested in making a contribution to the Pilot Athletic Fund can do so by clicking here. Your gift directly helps our nearly 300 student-athletes as they strive to make a difference in our community and achieve academic and athletic excellence. Thank you for support of Pilot Athletics!
 
Follow Along With the Action
Get the latest news and information about your favorite University of Portland athletic programs by visiting PortlandPilots.com. You can also follow along for the most dynamic coverage and team-centric content by following us on Twitter, liking us on Facebook, and following us on Instagram.



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Craig Announces 2025-26 Track & Field Schedule

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December 5, 2025

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ROCK HILL, S.C. — Winthrop Track & Field Head Coach Raffael Craig has unveiled the Eagles 2025-26 indoor and outdoor schedule on Friday, outlining a slate that begins in early December and runs through the end of May. 

“I’m proud of the work they have all put in,” said Craig. “This first meet will be a good opportunity to see where we are at heading into the holiday season.” 

The Eagles open the indoor season on Dec. 7 at the Visit Winston-Salem College Kick-Off in Winston-Salem, N.C. Winthrop continues at the Gamecock Opener on Jan. 10 in Columbia, S.C., followed by three meets in Tryon, the Tryon International Classic (Jan. 16-17), the Tryon College Banked Invitational – East Coast Elite (Jan. 30), and the Tryon Mid-Winter Collegiate Invite (Feb. 13-14). 

The Big South Conference Indoor Championship is scheduled for Feb. 27-28 in Tryon. 

Outdoor competition begins with the Big South vs. Southern Conference Challenge on Mar. 20-21 in Asheville, N.C. Winthrop will also compete at the Raleigh Relays (Mar. 26-27) and the VertKlasse Meeting (Apr. 2-3) in High Point, N.C. 

The program will host the annual Winthrop Invitational on Apr. 17-18 at the Irwin Belk Complex. The regular season concludes at the Lenoir-Rhyne Open on Apr. 25 in Hickory, N.C. 

The Big South Conference Outdoor Championship is set for May 11-13 in High Point, N.C. Qualifiers will advance to the NCAA Championships East First Round, held on May 27-30 in Lexington, Ky. 



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Broncos Produce Strong Results in Season-Opening Meet

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December 5, 2025

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ALLENDALE, Mich. — Despite having just four student-athletes in action, the Western Michigan track and field team was able to post some strong results at the GVSU Holiday Open earlier today. 

Laurine Elisa Marimon stole the show, earning the sixth best triple jump mark in program history. She finished the meet with a top leap of 12.07 meters. The meet was her first in the Brown and Gold. 

Sierra Sommers also impressed in her college debut, competing in both the shot put and weight throw. She opened the meet with a weight throw mark of 12.87 meters. She followed that up with a throw of 14.14 meters in the shot put. That was good enough to win the event and just missed a top-10 mark in program history. 

Mickaliliah Vassell made her WMU debut by racing in both the 60-meter dash and 60-meter hurdles. She crossed the finish line in a time of 7.89 in the 60m and earned a time of 9.19 in the 60m hurdles. 

To conclude the meet, Shannon Gillahan was great in her season debut. She was able to produce a time of 11:07.28 in the 3000-meter run. 

UP NEXT

The Broncos will be off until the start of the new year. WMU will be back in action at the Wolverine Invite on Jan. 10. 

 



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