Video games based on college sports have been in limbo over the issue of paying college players to have their likeness used. But now that the issue has been resolved in the form of a $60 million settlement from EA to players who had their likeness used in EA's NCAA football and basketball games, it looks like there might once again be NCAA games on the horizon.
ESPN Sports Business Reporter Darren Rovell states that publisher 2K has obtained the rights to at least 10 college basketball teams.
2K has indeed gotten the licenses to at least 10 college teams & will have college basketball.
— Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 21, 2015
At this point it isn't entirely clear if 2K will be making a brand new college basketball title or if college basketball will become a part of the publisher's NBA 2K series. It seems that college basketball will play some role in NBA 2K16, after a leaked achievement list specifically mentions college hoops. Operation Sports also recently revealed similar news. By using The Collegiate Licensing Company's database, one user was able to see which teams were currently licensed under the video game category. The following teams were listed as being licensed to 2K Sports: Arizona, Arizona State, Connecticut, Georgetown, Kansas, Louisville, Michigan, Texas, UCLA, Villanova and Wisconsin. However, searching for those teams now under the video game category will bring up no results. Rovell's report of "at least 10 teams" comes mighty close to the 11 team's listed above. There is a strong chance those teams might be appearing in NBA 2K16, but if they are, don't expect much, says Rovell.
If 2K does add colleges this year to its NBA game, expect just jerseys & logos. You'll have to make your own players to fit the roster. — Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) July 21, 2015
If 2K is making a brand new NCAA basketball game, it would be the first one for the company since 2008. EA then stopped publishing their NCAA basketball title the following year in 2009. Speaking of EA, Rovell also reports that rumors of EA returning with a college basketball game in the near future "are not accurate."
NBA 2K16 will be getting a Michael Jordan special edition when it releases on Sept. 29. Those who pre-order any version of the game will be able to pick up the game on Sept. 25.
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