EA Sports and Collegiate Licensing Co. filed paperwork offering $40 million to settle cases brought against them by former Arizona State and Nebraska quarterback Sam Keller, former UCLA basketball player Ed O’Bannon, former Rutgers football player Ryan Hart and former West Virginia football player Shawne Alston.
Current and former players would be eligible to receive funds from the settlement.
The proposed settlement creates a scenario under which some current players who have appeared in recent versions of the game could be allowed to seek settlement money even as they continue to be eligible to play, said one of the Keller and Alston plaintiffs’ attorneys, Leonard Aragon.
The settlement amount would specifically apply to players who were on Bowl Subdivision football or Division I men’s basketball rosters dating from May 4, 2003, but other athletes who were included on ¨classic teams¨ may be eligible to receive money also. The number of former football and basketball players who could benefit may be as large as 100k.
EA Sports and Collegiate Licensing Co.’s settlement is separate from the NCAA, that has plenty of its own battles to fight.
If the offer is accepted the primary listed defendants, could receive anywhere from $15,000 to $2,500. Other players that are eligible for money based on the use of their likeness but are not listed on the roster of named plaintiffs, may receive anywhere from $50 to $2000 depending on how many seek payment.