Pitt, College Players to Receive Payment Bump for EA Sports’ College Football 26

Pitt players and those around college football will earn over double the money from EA Sports in the upcoming edition of College Football 2026.

According to a report from Chris Vannini of The Athletic, an email was sent to Football Bowl Subdivision players on Tuesday stating that those who opt into the video game will see name, image and likeness payments increase from $600 to $1,500 for the newest version.

Also, players will receive a Deluxe Edition of the game and some can earn additional payments to serve as a brand ambassador.

“From the beginning, we’ve designed our NIL program to be accessible, direct, voluntary and equitable for all, offering the same base-level compensation to every FBS athlete that opts-in using the OneTeam platform and COMPASS NIL app,” EA Sports vice president of business development Sean O’Brien said in a statement, per Vannini. “This approach empowers each athlete to make their own decision. College sports are growing and changing, and our focus at EA Sports is on continuing to put athletes first as we bring them in the game in College Football 26 and beyond.”

👀 First look at Pitt in @EASPORTSCollege #H2P » #CFB25 pic.twitter.com/K9Voxt7zlY

— Pitt Football (@Pitt_FB) May 17, 2024

The long-awaited College Football 25 game did not disappoint. 14,000 players opted in with 11,000 players NIL officially used within the game. The number of players featured in the game is expected to remain the same. CFB25 went on to become the highest-selling sports game of all-time based on dollar sales.

In addition, the report stated that the compensation was not expected to increase, but “a new NIL group called Pathway Sports & Entertainment began obtaining the video game NIL rights of players, paying $1,500 up front. Around 1,000 players from schools like Alabama, Georgia and Oregon have signed with Pathway; the group’s goal is to get every scholarship FBS player and negotiate a larger deal.”

The compensation news comes a week after a photo surfaced of a potential cover for the CFB26 iteration featuring a large assortment of coaches, players and mascots within the Rose Bowl Stadium.

SOURCES: The EA Sports College Football 26 cover shoot leak is real and took place today, @TheAthletic has learned.

Faces include Jeremiah Smith, Ryan Williams, Kirby Smart, Tim Tebow, Reggie Bush, Bryce Underwood and a whole lot more.

✍️ MORE: https://t.co/xGFACxIn6v pic.twitter.com/TxuRStOnOs

— Chris Vannini (@ChrisVannini) March 13, 2025

Some of the players seen on the cover include Ohio State wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and safety Caleb Downs, Florida quarterback DJ Lagway, LSU quarterback Garrett Nussmeier, Penn State running back Nick Singleton, Alabama wide receiver Ryan Williams, Arizona State quarterback Sam Leavitt, Notre Dame running back Jeremiyah Love, South Carolina edge rusher Dylan Stewart and Michigan true freshman quarterback Bryce Underwood.

Ryan Day, Kirby Smart, James Franklin, Kenny Dillingham and Lane Kiffin were some of the coaches visible, along with former legendary players in Reggie Bush, Tim Tebow and Denard Robinson.