Colorado football coach Deion Sanders stated that a lack of adequate compensation was the primary reason he is not featured in EA Sports College Football 27.
Speaking to reporters at Big 12 Media Day on Tuesday, Sanders indicated that if he was not included in the game, it was because the financial offer did not align with his business interests. "If I'm not in the game, that means they weren't paying enough," Sanders said. "It probably didn't fit where we're going right now. That's probably it. It was probably just that simplistic."
Sanders, a Pro Football Hall of Famer, also made a sarcastic remark directed at The Athletic, the outlet that inquired about his absence from the video game. "Thank you, Athletic, you guys are doing a wonderful job," he said, followed by, "You know I'm lying, right?"
An EA spokesperson clarified to The Athletic that coaches are not compensated for their inclusion in the video game, as they are part of "unpaid licenses." This marks the first time real-life coaches have been included in the EA Sports College Football franchise since its return in 2024, following an 11-year hiatus.
Several other prominent coaches will also not be featured in this year's game. These include Bill Belichick of North Carolina, Mario Cristobal of Miami, Kirk Ferentz of Iowa, Bronco Mendenhall of Utah State, Blake Anderson of Southern Miss, and Neal Brown of North Texas. These coaches, along with Sanders, will be represented by generic characters on the sidelines in EA Sports College Football 27. Sanders' Buffaloes concluded the previous season with a 3-9 record, including a 1-8 record in conference play.