Arch Manning makes U-turn to appear in EA Sports College Football 25 after five-figure offer
Arch Manning changed his mind about whether his likeness would appear in ‘EA Sports College Football 25.’
The Texas quarterback and cousin of Peyton and Eli Manning was originally the most famous college football player who objected to the use of his likeness in the long-awaited revival of the video game series, which is set to debut later this month.
According to reports in March, Arch (19) turned down the potential NIL deal because he wanted to focus purely on football.
All that was undone on Tuesday when he posted a video with Uncle Eli on social media with the caption, “I’m in the game.”
The elder Manning pretends to call plays for Arch, who is wearing sweatpants but playing the video game while his uncle prepares him to throw a touchdown pass.
Arch Manning (bottom) appeared in an advertisement for EA Sports College Football 25 with his uncle, Eli
The 19-year-old struggles to overtake Quinn Ewers as Texas’ starting quarterback in Austin
Manning, perhaps poking fun at his nephew over the reported reason for his opt-out, tweeted: “@ArchManning is in the game! It’s a great way to focus on football.”
Op3 reported that EA Sports paid Arch between $50,000 and $60,000 to promote the game.
All players featured in ‘College Football 25’ will receive $600 and a free copy of the game.
EA Sports College Football 25 is scheduled for release on July 19. The game will initially be available on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles.
EA Sports College Football, featuring Ewers on the cover (left), is released on July 19
The game is the first iteration of EA Sports’ American football franchise to be released since 2013, when production of the game was halted due to lawsuits accusing EA Sports of using players’ likenesses without paying them.
When the NCAA allowed players to profit from their brand in 2021, it opened the door to making the game again.
More than 11,000 players have now accepted the offer for the competition. All 134 schools in the Football Bowl Subdivision are participating.
Meanwhile, Arch will begin the 2024 season as Texas’ backup quarterback behind current quarterback Quinn Ewers.