LOBO FOOTBALL
How much has UNM made from EA Sports College Football?
Program saw dip in revenues after "play-for-pay" model was adopted last year
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The long-awaited return of EA Sports College Football brought in some extra revenue for New Mexico.
UNM has been paid $151,202.04 in royalties from the hugely popular college football video game over the last two years, per figures provided to the Journal.
After the game returned in July 2024, UNM made $87,582.28 in fiscal year 2025 from a tier-based model wherein schools earned a fixed percentage of game sales. Four tiers were derived from a decade鈥檚 worth of team finishes in the AP Top 25 poll to sort out 130-plus FBS programs.
UNM made less in fiscal year 2026, drawing in $63,619.76 following a shift to a model. Schools now receive royalties based on their percentage of games played, which is then applied to EA Sports College Football鈥檚 total sales.
The Lobos usage percentage in 2026 translates to 0.26%. UNM ranked 109 out of 136 playable programs in terms of total usage on EA Sports College Football 26.
UNM athletic director Ryan Berryman said money the department receives from EA Sports College Football goes into its department鈥檚 operating budget, similar to other licensing revenue.
Additionally, players included in EA Sports College Football 27 receive $1,500 and a free game code. Fifty-eight Lobos are included in the latest edition of the long-running video game series.
Sean Reider covers college football and other sports for the Journal. You can reach him at sreider@abqjournal.com or via X at .
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