EA CEO Teases College Basketball Return: 'We'd Have a Great Ability to Do College Basketball'

The CEO of Electronic Arts is hinting at the revival of EA College Basketball, merely a month after an enigmatic tweet from EA Sports reignited hopes among video game basketball enthusiasts.

Bring the Madness. Let’s run it back. #CBB #ItsInTheGame pic.twitter.com/iBNhGxn2yj

— EA SPORTS (@EASPORTS) June 30, 2025

During today's Q1 earnings call, CEO Andrew Wilson addressed questions regarding the potential return of College Basketball, likely in response to the aforementioned tweet. According to reports from June and this clever teaser, EA is indeed planning to bring back College Basketball, although fans will have to wait until at least 2028 to see it on their screens.

Here is Wilson's vague yet promising statement in full:

We can't say too much about it yet, but considering the opportunity, looking back at our success with College Football, college sports boast one of the most vibrant fanbases globally. This enthusiasm certainly extends to basketball as well. We are witnessing continued growth in fandom momentum for college basketball. Fans, athletes, and universities pour their passion into these sports. It is this passion that makes them special and distinguishes the games.

However, with great popularity comes high expectations and a demand for deeply authentic experiences: capturing the action on the field or court, representing the energy, pageantry, traditions, and celebrating the unique sights, sounds, and stories of every school and rivalry. We feel we deliver this exceptionally well in College Football...and we would love to achieve the same for basketball. All 350 programs, including men's and women's teams, along with iconic traditions and rivalries, and naturally, March Madness.

For us, college sports broadly represent an exciting opportunity. We believe we have done a strong job in this space and remain committed to continuing that success within the context of College Football. Based on our work with the teams, technology, and dedication surrounding College Football, we are well-positioned to replicate this success for college basketball. As we look to capitalize on this opportunity, we will be able to share more details soon.

According to reporting from The Athletic, EA Sports' proposal for a College Basketball title, which was recommended for approval by the Collegiate Licensing Company, would feature all Division I men's and women's teams (730 in total). Six games are planned with releases starting in 2028, featuring similar modes to College Football such as Dynasty Mode, Team Builder, Road to Glory, and Ultimate Team.

EA last released a College Basketball game in 2009, but the series was discontinued due to disputes over the use of college athletes' likenesses and declining sales compared to its football counterpart. However, the success of College Football appears to have reignited EA's interest in basketball...though they may face competition from 2K Sports, as suggested by this official NBA 2K Twitter/X post.