College Hoops 2K9 ejected

2K Sports officially cans next installment in collegiate basketball sim after negotiations with Collegiate Licensing Company fall apart.

Annualized sports franchises are the closest games to sure-thing money makers in the industry, and publishers in the past have gone to great pains to wrap up exclusive access to the licenses. Most notably, EA in 2005 secured exclusive rights to the National Football League through 2010, and Take-Two owns the sole third-party rights to the Major League Baseball until 2012. Aptly opting for a five-man roster, the National Basketball Association licensed out its rights to Electronic Arts, Take-Two, Midway, Sony, and Atari in 2005.

With nearly all the major players able to take to the professional basketball court, the NCAA license bench has today for the time being lightened by one. As initially reported by Kotaku, 2K Sports has canceled College Hoops 2K9, which was sketched in for November 2008. The call was reportedly made due to a standoff in licensing negotiations with the Collegiate Licensing Company (CLC), which holds the rights to college trademarks for more than 200 college and universities.

"2K Sports has decided not to continue negotiations with the CLC for the license for its top-rated College Hoops franchise, which would have been released next in November 2008," said 2K Sports in a statement. "We are committed to providing fans with high-quality, critically acclaimed sports games, but given our disciplined approach to the business, we do not believe the current discussions would result in an acceptable outcome."

2K Games provided no other details on the negotiation climate, but Kotaku reports that the reason for the breakdown in talks was outside influence from Take-Two rival Electronic Arts, which releases its own multiplatform annualized college hoops series, NCAA March Madness. EA and the CLC had not responded to requests for comment as of press time.

Sports of all sorts have been a sticking point for Take-Two recently. Reporting on its fourth-quarter revenues in December, the publisher noted that its 2K Sports division failed to turn a profit in 2007, despite a "very, very solid performance" by NBA 2K8. One of the primary drains on the division was 2K Sports' return to the gridiron with All-Pro Football 2K8, which featured a heavily loaded cast of NFL legends instead of current-day stars. As of the end of November, All-Pro 2K8 had only managed less than 159,000 copies on the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 in the US, according to the NPD Group.

143 Comments

  • Jakesta7

    Posted May 6, 2009 6:23 pm PT

    Best sports games:
    EA: Football and NHL
    Sony: MLB
    2K: NCAA and NBA Basketball

  • roman23_8

    Posted Apr 2, 2009 5:42 pm PT

    mna im gonna miss college hoops. I've had everyone in the series and i loved playing every aspect of it. The only reason EA bought it out was because it was killing hteir sales. I will never in my life play any march madness games becuase their plain garbage.

  • CANuckSSS

    Posted Jan 31, 2009 5:46 am PT

    this sucks, i was hoping i can get this year CH2k9 since i loved the nba2k9. i think i know how to get even ......... LET US NOT BUY or EVEN RENT March Madness 09 and let EA loose great money. that way, they will be forced not to this crap again.

  • Jorrdan32

    Posted Jan 2, 2009 6:51 pm PT

    First off the only reason ea is buying these companies out is because their games are terrible, and are afraid that they are going to lose all of there business. Think about it they havent made a descent NBA game since NBA LIVE 05 on regular xbox, and as far as their college basketball game goes, 2k sports have made the best college basketball game since they arrived. When EA purchased the NFL license the 2k football games were closing the gap on madden so they decided to buy them out to force gamers to buy their product. Not to take anything away from madden it is a really great football game and so is Ncaa Football. Just think about how much better they would be with a little competition. But as far basketball goes this is a tragedy. When I play the new Ncaa basketball game it makes me sick. Its the same thing every game, the dynasty mode is terrible, the animations suck . Id rather player March Madness 1997 on sega genisis than this one . EA u need to quit trying to buy having the best games and compete like everyone else and just make them!

  • JorgeBorges

    Posted Dec 25, 2008 9:49 am PT

    Sincerely , 2K should get a FIBA license instead CH2009. European Basketball , today , is very interesting .It's just a suggestion . If it's true , is a bad attitude from EA Sports . The sports games (mainly NBA ) have been worst year after year . EA NBA sucks and 2K is much better .
    Pitty!

  • Surreal33

    Posted Dec 21, 2008 8:52 pm PT

    Why is it that these companies seem to buy the exclusive rights to the sports they suck at? Bottom Line: EA should be making Football and Baseball (MVP baseball was AWESOME) , 2K should be making Basketball, and NOBODY, i repeat NOBODY should b touching NASCAR except for Sierra (NR2003) because theyre the ONLY ones who have been able to get it right so far.

  • fupa24

    Posted Dec 4, 2008 11:29 am PT

    The only problem with this is that when EA is the only one producing the game they they dont try as hard to make the game what it could be.. But to be honest 2K sports sucks and the only real reason to keep them around is to keep EA sports working harder to make the game better every year... So go ahead and play CH2K8 its your loss..

  • nyballaknicks

    Posted Dec 1, 2008 7:42 pm PT

    Wow this is pathetic.... The only way EA can make a better sports game than anyone else is ...... if no one else makes a sports game.

  • Bdjohnst

    Posted Nov 19, 2008 4:04 pm PT

    Dumb. 2k is so much better at basketball games than EA.

  • TriangleHard

    Posted Nov 18, 2008 12:56 pm PT

    WNBA!!!!!!!!!!!

    Use that money for WNBA license!!!!!!!!!!!!

  • konartist67

    Posted Oct 31, 2008 4:51 pm PT

    THIS HAS TO BE WORSE NEWS BY FAR!! EA sucks in all ways possible. Their games don't even come close to matching 2K. Without Madden EA wouldn't even be relevant. EA all of you are a**clowns

  • ROLLTIDE06

    Posted Oct 15, 2008 9:02 am PT

    People should boycott NCAA Basketball 09. It will never happen, but that's what should be done. This is garbage. I remember when competition was a good thing. Thanks EA for ruining that.

  • Qui21

    Posted Sep 20, 2008 12:57 pm PT

    Im starting to hate EA sports, their basketball series suck anyway. If it wasn't for madden and college football they would even be in the game.

  • Tydog5

    Posted Aug 30, 2008 7:29 am PT

    This really sucks, the 2K basketball series was a million times better than the Madness series! I remember the 2007 season, everybody bought March Madness 07 because of the online, but 2K7 was by far the better product! If CLC was going to drop a franchise, it should have been March Madness!

  • roman23_8

    Posted Aug 23, 2008 9:50 pm PT

    wow that sucks...i bought every single college hoops game, because it always feels more realistic and true to basketball...this kinda sucks, especially seeing how good 2k8 was...


    awww no more pre-season recruiting camps...

  • Von-Dozier

    Posted Aug 9, 2008 12:47 am PT

    Absolutely horrible. For all who haven't experienced the College Hoops series, buy 2k8. Stunning game, and, apparently the last. Gotta love monopolies and corporate greed.

  • brooklynallday

    Posted Jul 30, 2008 8:54 am PT

    wow i cant believe this

  • xunhallowed

    Posted Jul 8, 2008 5:42 pm PT

    I am sorry, but to the guy who says NHL 2K8 is better than NHL 08, you obviously don't know what you're saying. I bought 2K8 and then I bought 08 due to peer pressure, and I played it. I haven't played 2K8 or looked back since.

  • RaiKageRyu

    Posted Jul 8, 2008 1:20 pm PT

    Why do the worse things always happen to the good guys.

  • gates18bil

    Posted Jun 11, 2008 10:10 am PT

    I have to admit that I am a big fan of the 2K College Hoops Series. It will be sorely missed. I will have to start playing the NBA game on 2K unless EA sports monopolizes that too. I liked the more realistic rebounding aspects and the player of the game tracking and the adjustments that you could do. EA Sports would be wise to incorporate them into their game for hardcore sports fanatics that like a little realism in their game-play.

  • cool55dude posted Jun 5, 2008 6:48 pm PT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    cool55dude

    Posted Jun 5, 2008 6:48 pm PT (hide)

    All that is left now is for EA to competely take over 2K. i hope EA accomplishes thier take over because 2K blows

  • BigSmitts07

    Posted Jun 5, 2008 6:32 pm PT

    o wel..i got nba 2k8 last week but i only get a sports game every few years and just play with varied rosters..who cares

  • Supaman625

    Posted Jun 2, 2008 3:31 pm PT

    EA strikes again ! dum dum dum. Now where am I going to find quality basketball at the college level.

  • ronmd24

    Posted May 27, 2008 5:19 pm PT

    This is a sad day in gaming. EA's basketball games are garbage. I've been an NBA Live fan since the beginning and a March Madness fan for years, but they do not compare to NBA 2K nor College Hoops. But I think 2K sports made a big mistake by making another football game. I played All Pro Football and it was terrible. If they wouldn't have came out with that game, they could have acquired the college license, and they would have been able to release College Hoops 2K9

  • rwallacefan

    Posted May 8, 2008 2:34 pm PT

    that is just so sad i rly did like playing these games just cause of the realism and the rly smooth gameplay

  • gates18bil

    Posted Apr 28, 2008 4:23 pm PT

    I have to admit I was a EA Sports Junky until I played the College Hoops 2K7 for my Xbox. I was so impressed with the more realistic Hoops play. Except for the missed lay-ups. I recently got an Xbox 360 to play better games and now one of my favorites is going away. I think the one person below was right, I think the business end is getting the better of the video gaming industry. It is money not innovation that is driving games. If EA is going to be the only force to make College B-Ball then I hope the adopt the gameplay elements from College Hoops. Innovation and gameplay is what makes us buy the games. I wish they remembered that.

  • pimp_999

    Posted Apr 7, 2008 7:31 pm PT

    I hope they straighten this out, EA is just gonna end up duping the customers if they get exclusive rights for this franchise of college hoops.

  • j_n_16

    Posted Mar 28, 2008 7:45 pm PT

    taj7575, have you ever played EA's version of NHL? Did you ever play EA's MVP baseball? Have you ever played Madden? If you had, you'd know that the only thing that 2K beats EA in is basketball, by a wide-margain I might add, but everything else stinks.

  • taj7575

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 7:05 pm PT

    but i will say i am happy i can stick with CH2K8 and just keep updatin my rosters. thanks 2k !!!

  • taj7575

    Posted Mar 26, 2008 6:37 pm PT

    NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


    WHY?~??!?!?!?!?!?!? WHY?~!?~?~?~?!?! WHY?~?~?~?!?!?!!??!?!?!

    RIP college basketball games, 2k only made good college basketball games, average MLB games, and average hockey games

    but at the same time 2k hockey > ea hockey

    and i think 2k makes better football games too


    this blows man, i hate march madness, and i am not going to buy that

  • j_n_16

    Posted Mar 25, 2008 6:56 pm PT

    DJAM16, chill. 2K is not better than EA at either MLB or NHL. I've played both installments of the 08 season for NHL, and EA is eons better than 2K. When you look at the final 3 years of baseball on the Xbox, the average rating was better for EA, even with a rating of 7.8 in 2003. Look at the ratings for 2K since coming onto the 360, and their highest grade was a 7.8; so much for doing way better than EA. I agree that 2K has EA's number when it comes to basketball, both college and NBA, but that's all 2K has got going for them in the sports department; heck even SEGA makes a better tennis game then they do. 2K should sell off their Football franchise so they can continue to improve upon their basketball franchise. However, the MLB is a lost cause, seeing as how every time they get a new idea, there are a million glitches that prevent it from being enjoyable. 2K needs to be more inventive on-ice to compete with EA. And I pray every day for Microsoft to produce their own baseball game, just to give 2K some bloody competition on the Xbox 360, which they have none of; I'd rather play WII baseball than 2K, and thankfully I've got a buddy with MLB 08: The Show, which is inexplicably better than 2K8.

  • j_n_16

    Posted Mar 25, 2008 6:42 pm PT

    It's too bad that 2K9 got canned. But I feel somewhat happy that Take-Two and 2K Sports are going through rough times with the lack luster performances that they've been giving their customers on both the NHL and MLB franchises.

  • thetolan87

    Posted Mar 10, 2008 6:45 pm PT

    This is a dark time for TRUE sport's gamers. This is so depressing. I felt that College Hoops is/was the only thing 2k Games had going for them, as I've consistently purchased it over its March Madness counterparts for five years running. What a shame. In 2k8 you can even customize coaches' names for crying out loud, the game simply had it all. EA has a bigger media market, and 2k can't compete with that. I don't want to say it is unfair, because i understand EA had to work to get to where they are. I can safely say, that this is the 2nd saddest day i've ever been a gamer. The only time i've felt worse, was when i killed Bastilla in my original (pre-save) run through of KOTOR. Both occurrences... simply devastating.

  • maaly81

    Posted Mar 7, 2008 10:30 am PT

    if something goes down to where the NBA sells exclusive rights to EA or some mess like that, I will picket in front of the EA building, then my local gaming stores. What it all comes down to is the money. The NFL don't care about the gamer, thats why it sold exclusive rights to EA to make a monopoly on the franchise. I will be very disappointed if one day I wake up to only sorry Live. I wont play that abomination of a game. What take two and 2k should do is gather all its resources and pour it in to buying up exclusive rights to the NBA license. Then just focus on two different platforms with the license. NBA 2k with the 5 on 5 and the develop a nba street type dillywhop. That would burn EA's gizzards.

  • maaly81

    Posted Mar 7, 2008 8:56 am PT

    This is bad. 2k makes the best basketball and now they can't, cuz the license people want more money?? this game barely sells anyway. I got the used copy the first month it came out. What a waste. EA is horrible. Im not getting their game

  • jasonlf

    Posted Mar 5, 2008 11:32 am PT

    THE ONLY WAY TO CHANGE THINGS IS FOR PEOPLE TO QUIT BUYING GAMES FROM EA.

    YOU DON'T NEED A SPORTS GAME EVERY YEAR. BE STRONG AND REFUSE TO BUY MARCH MADNESS NEXT YEAR.

  • DJAM16

    Posted Feb 11, 2008 7:04 pm PT

    This is crap. I can't stand playin the ea basketball games and now because 2k lost money because of some awful football game I'm gonna be forced to play them. 2k needs to leave football to ea and jus continue making basketball, baseball, n hockey games which they do better then ea. Some sort of agreement needs to be reached here. How can you cancel the number one selling college hoops franchise. THIS SUCKS!

  • BlakkSteel

    Posted Feb 4, 2008 7:57 pm PT

    First, they lose the collegiate license for football to EA in'03. EA, then, turns out average college football games. Then, they lose NFL licensing rights to EA. EA, then, turns out a continually sub-par performance in the Madden series (which is even worse on the PS3), & will continue to do so thru 2010. Now, they're losing the collegiate licensing for NCAA Basketball?!?!??? If Take Two doesn't "take a stance", I will no longer be patronizing any of the sports games!! EA does NOT put out any quality sports games (short of the Fight Night series). Take Two is my sports gaming provider of choice.

  • trystkl1826

    Posted Jan 23, 2008 6:46 am PT

    I was shocked a little. As a consumer I think long as we still have NCAA Basketball on the market the decision does not hurt us fans.

  • JpSega1

    Posted Jan 20, 2008 3:45 pm PT

    EA dosn't care about quality, only thing that changes from game to game is the soundtrack and they pay reviewers to give there games good scores, they're just a terrible company. Atleast baseball and basketball is safe for now.

  • awheaten

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 10:52 am PT

    @Delio Yes I agree, EA is just sucking every year. I think of them more as a business company than a videogame company. It is a shame. 2K sports makes the best sports games but they get less sales. I guess that is what propaganda does for ya. This is the first case were I feel sorry for 2K they should be in the spot light and NOT EA.

  • theKSMM

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 9:40 am PT

    Wow, I guess that explains why All-Pro Football 2K8 is already in the bargain bin at lots of retailers. It's not hard to find a copy for $10.

    I hate these exclusive licenses. I think the competition between different companies is good for the consumer. The companies should compete for gaming dollars on the merits of their respective games, not on the ability of their lawyers to sew up an exclusive contract for three to five years.

  • prioritymail

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 8:20 am PT

    First NFL 2k is lost now this....I hope the nba 2k series doesnt go down the toilet

  • Dilan120

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 8:19 am PT

    too bad

  • joeyfine

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 7:10 am PT

    No way! this was the only b-ball game i'd play.

  • metaljeff

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 6:41 am PT

    EA are sneaky little bastards who should be nuked to Hell

  • rs1990

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 6:34 am PT

    This is terrible news. I like the college sports games much more than the pro versions. I have never played a good March Madness game though, so this is not good at all.

  • the_reginator28

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 5:06 am PT

    This is a major low blow. 2K basketball fans feel this bad because College Hoops was always a little bit better than the NBA game. The gameplay and the college atmosphere made College Hoops, and no one can replicate that. I hope the CLC pulls out of this early for 2K9 though.

  • buffdaddy500

    Posted Jan 15, 2008 4:32 am PT

    so much for good college basketball games. looks like i'll be playing 2K8 for a LONG time.

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