EA Sports has quietly stepped away from its planned return to the college basketball gaming arena, leaving 2K Sports to take the lead. In a surprising turn of events, EA Sports pulled back its licensing offers to colleges and conferences after many schools chose to work with 2K instead. The decision comes just as EA had started to generate buzz around its sports lineup with the recent comeback of College Football 25.
EA’s plan, first shared in late June, was designed to bring back college basketball on a massive scale. The company envisioned a 2028 release that would include all Division I men’s and women’s basketball programs. The announcement, made possible by new NIL rules, had fans excited for the kind of complete college sports experience EA has long been known for. Those hopes have now been put on hold, as EA confirmed it could not lock down enough licensing agreements to make the project possible. In a memo to schools, EA Sports Vice President of Commercial Partnerships and Licensing Sean O’Brien said he regretted the outcome but respected the choices institutions made.
2K Sports, meanwhile, has moved forward with its own college basketball program. Unlike EA’s plan for a standalone game, 2K will build the college game into the NBA 2K franchise. The first version will appear as downloadable content or a new mode called a “college basketball experience.” More than 100 programs are expected to be included when it launches in 2027, with expansion already planned beyond.
The difference in approach is clear. EA wanted to secure full Division I coverage with more than 350 programs, a huge undertaking that would require nearly universal cooperation. 2K is opting for a slower rollout, starting with high-profile schools and gauging how fans respond before considering a larger standalone title.
Reaction from fans has been mixed. Some were disappointed to see EA abandon such a large-scale vision, while others are open to 2K’s vision. Online forums have captured the divide, with one fan posting, “give me 364 teams or give me death,” while others argued that a smaller but polished experience might be a smarter way forward.
For now, the future of college basketball gaming sits with 2K. EA may revisit the idea someday, but with licensing proving so difficult, 2K’s gradual rollout looks like the safer bet. Whether they can deliver the atmosphere and excitement of real college hoops is a question fans will be waiting to see answered.
Hell yeah!
Hell yeah! 🤘🤘🤘
Go OU
👍👍👍👍👍
Hell yea cant wait!
So awesome – thanks for sharing!
🤘
Very cool
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