The question about the status of NCAA video games and a potential return to store shelves comes up every year. But this year, with conversations about moving forward with student-athletes potentially profiting off of name, image and likeness, there seems to be a major resurgence in the topic.

On Tuesday, NCAA President Mark Emmert talked about the idea of bringing back the NCAA video games (football and basketball), and it sounds like there are some pretty big obstacles currently in the way.

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Emmert detailed some “needs” in order for the NCAA to be open to a return of video games. Jane McManus of the New York Daily News highlighted some of those needs the president discussed:

  1. Assurances that no more lawsuits would be filed.
  2. A group license deal that gives students a voice.
  3. Without giving them a union and making them employees.

Based on all that, at least right now, it seems unlikely that a return of NCAA video games will be coming in the near future. But, there’s always a possibility.

Emmert didn’t dismiss the idea entirely, which is a promising sign. But it seems like an awful lot to go through for video game companies and the NCAA to bring back the products.

The last NCAA Football games was the 2014 edition, which was released in the summer of 2013. Who knows if and when that drought will end.