|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
College basketball might be stepping back onto the virtual court.
On Monday, EA Sports posted a cryptic tweet that appears to tease the long-dormant return of its college basketball video game franchise — with a potential launch window in 2028, according to reporting from Extra Points.
The timing couldn’t be better. After the 2024 release of College Football 25 — the first college football video game in over a decade — EA Sports found itself back on top. That title didn’t just perform well; it became the highest-selling video game of all time within a matter of months.
For longtime fans, the possible return of college hoops marks a major moment. EA Sports was once a dominant player in basketball gaming, especially in the early 2000s. Its NCAA March Madness series eventually became NCAA Basketball, but the franchise was discontinued in 2009. Legal and financial challenges surrounding player name, image, and likeness (NIL) rights — most notably the O’Bannon v. NCAA lawsuit — were a key reason.
Everything changed on July 1, 2021, when the NCAA officially allowed student-athletes to profit from their NIL. EA wasted no time announcing a college football reboot — and now, it looks like basketball is next in line.
Even more exciting: the next generation of the game could be the most inclusive yet. According to The Athletic, EA Sports plans to include both men’s and women’s college basketball teams for the first time ever. All 730 Division I programs will have the option to opt in, and players who lend their likeness will be compensated.
As for official confirmation? EA is keeping things close to the vest. A spokesperson declined to provide additional details on the project.
Still, the message is clear: college basketball is back in play — and gamers everywhere should start getting hyped.
Stay locked in to Xero Degrees Gaming for updates as the story develops.
