Delaware Denies $12 Million EA Sports 26 Payout Claim as Blue Hens Logged 5.2 Million Games
Updated
Updated · HERO Sports · Jun 17
Delaware Denies $12 Million EA Sports 26 Payout Claim as Blue Hens Logged 5.2 Million Games
1 articles · Updated · HERO Sports · Jun 17
Summary
$12 million was not paid to Delaware from EA Sports College Football 26, assistant athletic director Ed LeFurge III said, adding he doubts any school topped seven figures in royalties.
A May 9 parody X post falsely claimed Delaware ranked sixth among 136 FBS teams in game usage and turned that into a $12 million windfall for stadium upgrades and NIL; the account later said it was made up.
The rumor spread across social platforms because schools can receive usage-based royalties and Delaware's real campaign was unusually successful, with some false posts drawing more than 1 million views.
Delaware said its 2025 Dynasty Challenge drew entries from 44 states and three international locations, while gamers played 5.2 million games as the Blue Hens and ranked the program 53rd nationally in usage.
The school plans another EA College Football 27 promotion in coming weeks, framing the episode as misinformation layered onto a genuine marketing success during Delaware's move to FBS.