A group of current college football players "will join NFL players in getting paid at least once for the use of their names, images and likenesses" as part of $60M "in settlements of lawsuits," according to Steve Berkowitz of USA TODAY. Pre-tax amounts "ranging from less than $100 to nearly $9,300 will go to players whose names and/or images appeared in EA Sports football or basketball games" issued from '03-04 through '13-14 and who "filed timely, valid claims." Because the games "included current-season teams and notable teams from prior seasons, the settlement recipients cover a vast timespan reaching to present college football rosters." No current basketball players are covered "because EA discontinued its basketball game" after the '09-10 edition. Altogether, "more than 24,900 checks are set to be issued." Plaintiff attorney Leonard Aragon said that the average amount "is about $1,750 and the median about $1,500." Nearly 15,000 checks went out yesterday, and the rest are "being delayed in an attempt to resolve a tax withholding issue" (USA TODAY, 4/7).
