Judge approves $60 million settlement in NCAA, EA Sports lawsuit

College athletes whose likenesses were used in video games will split a $60 million payout, receiving up to $7,200 each, reported by a settlement of several class-action lawsuits. Objectors to the settlement have 30 days to appeal once Wilken finalizes the approval. Yet, here we are, with a District Judge ruling that EA Sports and the NCAA were in the wrong for cutting them out. Berman also said Wilken told the attorneys involved in the case that she might be inclined to reduce the costs and fees that they will be awarded to 30% of the settlement rather than 33%.

“This landmark decision marks the first time student-athletes will be paid for the likeness or image and stands as a huge victory in the ongoing fight for student-athletes’ rights”, Berman said in a statement.

The site for the EA NCAA Settlement says,”If You Were Listed on the Roster of an NCAA Division I Men’s Football or Basketball Team, and You or Your Team was included in one of EA’s Videogames Released Between May 4, 2003 and September 3, 2014, You Could Be Entitled to Cash Payments”.

It’s amazing to think that, with a no-brainer of an idea such as paying collegiate athletes for their likeness and performance (which helps the NCAA earn nearly a billion dollars in revenue last year), that the first shoe to drop comes from the world of video games. That would increase the amount of money available to affected athletes.

“The claims rate is approaching 30 percent and that is a great response”.

Over 20,000 claims have already been made, and other eligible athletes now have until July 31 to join by submitting a claim here. Obviously a player who appeared in multiple NCAA games would receive more of this share compared to a player who was only featured in one.

“She wants what we want: a fair payment for the attorneys, who took tremendous risks, and the best results for those athletes who make claims,” Carey said. If there are no objections, that would then begin the process of athletes receiving their portion of the settlement.

Current football and men’s basketball players who played during the period the video games existed are eligible for money without losing their NCAA eligibility.