Retired NFLers Making Plans To Sue EA, Madden Over Licensing

Group Of Former NFL Players Led By Parrish Aim For Lawsuit Against EA, Madden

The group of retired NFL players who won $28.1M from a videogame licensing suit against the NFLPA are "planning a new lawsuit" against EA and former broadcaster John Madden, according to Branson Wright of the Cleveland PLAIN DEALER. Former NFLer Bernie Parrish in a blog entry claims that Madden "made millions" from the EA Sports "Madden" videogame franchise, while the "retired NFL players used in those games received nothing." Parrish said that the NFLPA, EA and Madden "exploited the likenesses of retired NFL players in the Madden game without paying royalties" (CLEVELAND.com, 4/20). Parrish, who was a central figure in the original lawsuit, noted in the blog entry that Madden's agent, IMG Senior Corporate VP Sandy Montag, claims that Madden collected over $100M in royalties from the videogame franchise. Parrish wrote Madden and EA "should have been included" in the licensing suit against the NFLPA. Parrish is asking the 2,062 retired players involved in the previous suit to "leave $1,000 apiece of their now estimated $13,000" settlement from the trial in a "litigation War Chest to pursue all of the legal issues still exploiting the retired players" (DAVEPEAR.com, 4/17).

GRIDIRON GREATS: Pro Football HOFer Mike Ditka discussed his role with the Gridiron Greats Assistance Fund program, which provides financial aid to former NFL players in need, with Chicago Tribune reporter David Haugh. Haugh noted the recent election of DeMaurice Smith as NFLPA Exec Dir, and asked, “Where do things stand in terms of Gridiron Greats and the relationship with the players association as well as with the league in that whole cooperative effort?” Ditka said, “People understand there is a problem. If they can remedy the problem, there’s no need for the Gridiron Greats. That’s all I can say. But if there isn’t, then we’ll continue to do what we can do. We’re only a band-aid, we’re not the answer. The new guy, hopefully he understands that. I think he does.” Ditka added, “Anybody who plays in this league, and I don’t care when they played, are a part of the success in this league” (“Chicago Tribune Live,” CSN Chicago, 4/20).