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Official Husker Locker Blog
2009 May 06
Sam Keller Takes On The Man
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More than 18 months after taking his final snap as a Nebraska quarterback, Sam Keller is choosing to challenge more formidable opponents: The NCAA and EA Sports.
Keller has filed a lawsuit against the two entities for, “blatant and unlawful use of [NCAA] student likenesses” in a number of EA Sports’ college football games during his time at Arizona State and Nebraska without paying him for it. The “NCAA 08” game, for example, lists Keller at his approximate height and weight.
“With rare exception, virtually every real-life Division I football or basketball player in the NCAA has a corresponding player in Electronic Arts' games with the same jersey number, and virtually identical height, weight, build and home state,” the lawsuit said. “In addition Electronic Arts often matches the player's, skin tone, hair color, and often even a player's hair style."
Player ratings tend to be tied the presumed skills of an athlete before the beginning of the season.
The lawsuit also contends that the NCAA looks the other way when gamers download rosters names from the Internet. On the most recent Playstation 3 version of the college football game, EA provides an option to download rosters created by other users.
Here's a copy of the lawsuit. You have to admit...it's compelling.
Should NU allow booze in the skyboxes?
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Keller has filed a lawsuit against the two entities for, “blatant and unlawful use of [NCAA] student likenesses” in a number of EA Sports’ college football games during his time at Arizona State and Nebraska without paying him for it. The “NCAA 08” game, for example, lists Keller at his approximate height and weight.
“With rare exception, virtually every real-life Division I football or basketball player in the NCAA has a corresponding player in Electronic Arts' games with the same jersey number, and virtually identical height, weight, build and home state,” the lawsuit said. “In addition Electronic Arts often matches the player's, skin tone, hair color, and often even a player's hair style."
Player ratings tend to be tied the presumed skills of an athlete before the beginning of the season.
The lawsuit also contends that the NCAA looks the other way when gamers download rosters names from the Internet. On the most recent Playstation 3 version of the college football game, EA provides an option to download rosters created by other users.
Here's a copy of the lawsuit. You have to admit...it's compelling.
Should NU allow booze in the skyboxes?
HuskerLocker is now on Twitter. Follow us!
Get free updates on NU football! Sign up for Husker Locker for free today!
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Home > Blogs > Official Husker Locker Blog > Sam Keller Takes On The Man
Exploited? He got a free college education for playing a game. Sam has sour grape syndrome since he was a bust. I am glad Sam came to the huskers it helped get rid of Callasham!!!!!!! Good luck Joe you deserve to be in the league.
– May 7, 2009
I don't know enough about it to make a super well-informed opinion, but I assume that at least some of the money that EA pays to the NCAA to have the team names and logos in the game has to go to the individual schools like Nebraska. And I'm just guessing that that money goes into the athletic fund which helps pay for the excellent benefits that the athletes receive. So in a roundabout way...
– May 7, 2009
Just think of all that Money daddy spent paying Callahan to allow you to get to play. Go ask Billy Boy for a handout, he Also got rich off of you.
– May 7, 2009
I didn't think much of him before and now I think less of him and I agree he obviously played those games to know so
much about it and if so throw it out and send money hungry
greedy boy packing.
– May 7, 2009
If he has EVER picked up a video game NCAA Football or Basketball, this case should be thrown out. He's trying to make a quick buck or something.
– May 6, 2009
We must have a bunch of EA gamers in here. Keller is completely within his legal rights to do this and I will be very interested to hear how the case is settled.
This is another example of athletes getting completely exploited by the NCAA and their host school while they rake in serious revenue for both. Should they get paid beyond a full-ride scholarship (those that are lucky enough to have a full-ride at least)? Perhaps not, but even T.O. has argued for a cost of living stipend for these student athletes. Why should EA get to make millions off of the likenesses of private citizens that never provided their permission?
If there was a great cubicle game that portrayed the likenesses of you all and listed you as terrible employees I imagine some of you would have something to say about that. Why are you all defending a billion-dollar enterprise over a former Husker?
– May 6, 2009
He should be flattered, he was an awesome QB in that game. Too bad he wasn't as good in real life...
– May 6, 2009
What a D bag!
– May 6, 2009
What a freakin jackarse and a BUM. Go get a job Sam!
– May 6, 2009
Would Sam be doing this if he was in the NFL?
He just wnats the money.
– May 6, 2009