Texas quarterback Arch Manning has decided not to allow EA Sports College Football 25 to use his name, image, and likeness, according to Rivals team reporter Anwar Richardson.
This means that Manning will not be featured in the highly anticipated video game, which has already received opt-ins from over 10,000 players.
Arch Manning opts OUT of EA Sports College Football 25, per @AnwarRichardson
He will instead focus on 'playing football on the field.' 🏈
Read more: https://t.co/PnUB1q3xgv pic.twitter.com/dg99HQIezo
— Bleacher Report (@BleacherReport) March 5, 2024
Players who opt-in receive $600 and a copy of the game. As of now, 87% of the game’s target goal has been reached. Manning’s teammate and fellow quarterback, Quinn Ewers, has chosen to be part of the game.
Manning, a rising sophomore and the nephew of former NFL quarterbacks Peyton and Eli Manning, was ranked as the fifth overall prospect in ESPN’s recruiting database for 2023. He only played in one game as a freshman, completing 2-of-5 passes for 30 yards.
The return of EA Sports College Football has generated a lot of excitement among fans, who will have the opportunity to play with over 11,000 student-athletes later this year.
Unfortunately, fans will have to wait to play with Manning, as he has decided to opt out of the game. This means that EA Sports will have to use a computer-generated quarterback to take his place on the Texas roster.
By opting out, Manning forfeits a $600 payment and a copy of the game.
Multiple people have told me Texas redshirt quarterback Arch Manning will not opt into EA Sports College Football 25. I'm told Arch is focused on playing football on the field. pic.twitter.com/dCFHdAuMZ1
— Anwar Richardson (@AnwarRichardson) March 5, 2024
Had he been selected as an “ambassador” of the game, he could have earned even more. Manning’s decision not to participate makes him the most notable college football player to opt out of the game.
Despite his high expectations entering college, Manning is choosing to focus on his development rather than virtual stardom.
Arch Manning, the Texas quarterback, is expected to remain as a backup for another season. Despite this, it is unclear if he will enter the transfer portal. He does not seem bothered by external factors, including EA Sports College Football 25.
Last year, Manning had limited playing time, completing only 2-of-5 passes and rushing three times. However, he is still earning millions through his NIL deals, with an estimated valuation of $2.8 million. He is currently endorsed by Panini America.
EA Sports has not announced the release date for the new college football video game, but a full reveal is scheduled for May. Although 90% of college football players have opted into the game, Arch Manning has reportedly chosen to opt-out.
EA Sports has reached over 87% of its goal of including every scholarship football player in the game. Athletes who opt-in receive $600 and a free copy of the game. Many notable college football players, including Travis Hunter, Quinn Ewers, Carson Beck, Jalen Milroe, and Dillon Gabriel, have already opted in.
EA Sports is thrilled with the response and expects more athletes to join in the coming weeks. The game is set to launch in the summer.
The opt-in process for athletes has been simplified through a smartphone application. Athletes can review the document and decide whether to allow EA access to their rights.
Players will receive annual payouts from EA Sports for their rights, and their contracts will still be valid if they transfer schools. They can also choose to opt out of future game installments.
The return of the video game series was confirmed in a teaser trailer, and more details will be revealed in May. The debate overcompensating student-athletes for their names and likenesses led to the game’s discontinuation in 2013.
The game never used actual player names but replicated the rosters of the teams.
Fans reacted as follows.
That’s gotta be the dumbest reasoning I’ve ever heard
— Jace👨🍳 (@Jacesprizepicks) March 5, 2024
All he had to do was press a button lmao, now he just made himself the most hated player in CFB currently
— Jahmeir D. ✭ (@JDCowboys2) March 5, 2024
Now he won't be on the field in real life or in EA world
— MF Tilt (@MF_Tilt) March 5, 2024
Arch manning when he the only one that didn’t get a free video game pic.twitter.com/ocwO1eiPtA
— idkLeo (@leo_arellano92) March 5, 2024
Everyone who is just excited to get EA College Football back. pic.twitter.com/taxeKJt7ok
— Austin (@AustinPlanet) March 5, 2024
Yea cuz opting in and receiving $600 would take to much time away from football
— China (@chinafromchinaa) March 5, 2024
How does not being in the game help him focus on football? Just say the real reason 🤣
— Power DF (@PowerGotNow) March 5, 2024
Everyone trying to stand out and be different these days ..
How does him being on the game affect his play in real life— Onos (@0noriode) March 5, 2024
Well you’re not playing on the field either my dude pic.twitter.com/JxHZaK4XLH
— Jonny Mondo (@jmondo13) March 5, 2024
His family worth close to a billion dollars that lil money they offering ain’t about nothing
— GIFT (@Giftaveli) March 5, 2024
They ain’t asking you to sign up for a gaming tournament bro 😂 you’re still playing football on the field
— Russo (@MuchoRusso) March 5, 2024
What’s crazy is most people would’ve made him a starter and tried to win the heisman as a challenge. Would’ve helped bros brand.
— 🚥🚦🚥🚦 (@0Obiewan2) March 5, 2024
It probably doesn't benefit him to sign over his rights, this kid is a manning and of course the free PR for disagreeing is a plus.
— Y-Quake (@YQuake) March 5, 2024
That's an interesting decision from Arch Manning. Focusing on playing on the field could be a good way to develop his skills and experience. There will certainly be a lot of attention on his development in the near future! 👌
— XBaoVN (@XBaoVN) March 5, 2024
all you had to do was sign a piece of paper, fill in some blanks and bam you get $600, a free video game, and the opportunity to actually start for a power 5 team instead of watching from the sidelines
— Drake 🐐 (@Drakesterrrr) March 5, 2024
You can focus on football while collecting your $600 check to be in the game. If he gets offered to be an ambassador, he can simply decline if it's too big of a time commitment.
— 🛸Austin 🛸 (@AustinHeff) March 5, 2024
Forget the gamers that are disappointed, but this also makes very little sense from his perspective too.
He’s not going to be able to hold out for more money when 90% of FBS players have already opted in (with 2 months to go). He only would’ve had leverage if college football…
— Justin Thind (@JustinThind) March 5, 2024
Worried about hitting transfer portal in game and memes being made
Worried about people benching ewers and causing distraction from game
Worried about lower rating in game will hurt brand— Bet Boys Pod (@BetBoysPod) March 5, 2024
— Brandon Olsen (@WNS_Brandon) March 5, 2024
How many people commenting have played a down of college football in their life? My take: who cares, he doesn't need the money and doesn't need to care what other people think.
— Jim Bronson (@brons2) March 5, 2024
Very very smart move by Arch (and his advisors?). AI is here and it’s best to see what that does to NIL and platforms like EA Sports before committing their image to digital platforms
— IndigoMontoya (@calmstaycalm) March 5, 2024
