The NCAA continues to dig its own grave—and this time, it’s a multi-million dollar hole.
More than that, it cost Ole Miss QB Trinidad Chambliss a chance at creating a lifelong legacy. EA Sports College Football covers have been a top-tier feat among the elite of student-athletes, and the NCAA's filing to the Supreme Court just cost Chambliss the almost sure-shot chance at featuring on the cover.
Trinidad Chambliss might as well get a blank check from the NCAA
Tom Mars will be going for the NCAA's throat with this. He is already "scheming up" a request for extra-contractual damages that could hit the NCAA where it hurts most—their wallet.
On Thursday, Chambliss said that as of last week, he was one of three finalists — “if not EA Sports’ favored player” — to appear on the front of the next version of the hit game in his filing. That changed on Monday, though, as EA Sports messaged Chambliss saying they “just can’t stomach the risk” of him not suiting up for the Rebels this fall.
“In addition to the NIL compensation which Trinidad would have received for being featured on the cover, Trinidad would have enjoyed heightened notoriety and prestige since the cover shot is considered an honor in college football and in the gaming community,” said Thursday’s filing, which was made in the Chancery Court of Lafayette County, Miss.
“Appearing on the cover would have created organic publicity for Trinidad, enhancing both his marketability and publicity rights. Being on the cover would have been personally meaningful to Trinidad, who could have shown his cover photo to potential employers and even his children and grandchildren.”
Chambliss's request to update his filing in the lower court to update his complaint does not attempt to project how much he could have made from being on the video game cover. But they still seek the punitive damages that he sustained because of the NCAA acting in "bad faith."
Given Chambliss NIL valuation, market credibility, and fan following, the NCAA is looking down the barrel of a multi-million dollar suit at least.