EA Sports faces mounting financial pressure on its collegiate gridiron franchise, raising internal concerns that EA Sports College Football could be discontinued within five years, according to industry reporting. It was reported that while EA Sports College Football 28 is already confirmed, the series is grappling with rising athlete compensation costs and a steep decline in retail sales following its revival in 2024 after an 11-year hiatus.
Rising Athlete Compensation Costs Strain Franchise Budgets
The financial model underpinning the college football series has shifted dramatically due to increased Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) payouts. For College Football 25, the publisher paid each participating player $600. By the time College Football 27 released, that individual payment climbed to $1,500. Across more than 11,000 athletes featured in the game, total NIL disbursements reached approximately $20 million.
It was reported that EA needed to sell roughly 275,000 copies of College Football 27 at $69.99 each merely to cover athlete compensation costs. Beyond player licensing, the publisher pays fees to universities for branding rights while shouldering growing multi-million-dollar production and marketing budgets.
Sales Momentum Slows After 2024 Launch Peak
Consumer demand for the franchise has cooled notably since the series returned to store shelves in 2024. It was noted that initial enthusiasm faded through 2025 and dropped further in 2026, translating directly into lower sales figures. Market tracking highlighted this shift during the summer of 2026, when College Football 27 secured second place on the United States best-seller list in July before sliding out of the top ten entirely in August. An EA Sports Kickoff Bundle pairing the game with Madden NFL 27 placed fourth on the August sales charts.
Sources speaking to Insider Gaming indicated that internal fears run deep, with one contact stating, “Forget 10 years from now; I’m worried if we’ll have a game by the end of the decade.” However, not all internal perspectives align with that outlook; other sources within the publisher described those fears as exaggerated and maintained that the franchise outlook remains promising.
EA Explores New Monetization for Collegiate Game Modes
To offset escalating expenses without matching the revenue generated by Madden NFL and EA Sports FC, development teams are reportedly exploring adjustments to in-game economies. It was reported that EA plans to reintroduce monetization features into the Road to Glory and Dynasty modes in upcoming installments. While Ultimate Team continues to pull in substantial revenue, sources noted it falls short of expectations when weighed against the soaring costs of maintaining collegiate licenses.
EA has not responded to multiple requests for comment regarding the long-term viability of the franchise.
