Retired NFL Players Plan to Sue EA, Madden

[lapsed_gamer]

Darc Requiem said:

lapsed_gamer said:
I don't get this. Why should EA have to pay players that nobody remembers? You create a team with Joe Montana as the quarterback, Jerry Rice as receiver and a bunch of John Does around them (and you basically call them John Doe.)

I don't see how a former player is going to win a lawsuit because one of those unnamed players plays in the same position he used to.

 

Because they are using their likeness. Madden games always include the Super Bowl winning or NFL Championship teams. They have the 85 Bears, 89 49ers, or 91 Redskins, etc. in the game. Sure they'd change the players numbers and not list their names but it's still their likeness. If they don't want to pay the retired players then don't include their teams in the game. It's a slap in the face. EA is directly profiting off their accomplishments without giving them a red cent.

I get that, but what is their likeness? If that is scrambled too and a generic substitute is used (it would just be foolish for EA to omit that if they get rid of numbers) Then what do the players have clain to other than stats (as was mentioned) and their position and year?