Trinidad Chambliss lost EA Sports College Football cover amid eligibility fight, seeks damages

Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss might've lost out on his biggest endorsement to date. 

An amended court filing from NCAA eligibility lawsuit claims Chambliss lost a potential cover opportunity with EA Sports College Football 27 because of the ongoing dispute over his eligibility status.

Chambliss’ legal team filed the amended petition Thursday, arguing the NCAA’s handling of his waiver request has caused significant financial and reputational harm beyond the uncertainty surrounding his 2026 season with Ole Miss Rebels football.

According to the filing, Chambliss was in negotiations with EA Sports to appear on the cover of the next edition of EA Sports College Football. The document states that as recently as March 6, Chambliss was one of three finalists for the cover and may have been the preferred selection.

New court filling says NCAA fight took away Trinidad Chambliss’ EA Sports cover opportunity, and punitive damages could be on the table. https://t.co/vDm6tuyKPw

However, the filing claims EA Sports withdrew from discussions around March 9 because of uncertainty surrounding whether Chambliss would ultimately be eligible for the 2026-27 season.

An EA Sports representative allegedly told Chambliss’ representatives that company leadership “just can’t stomach the risk” associated with the unresolved eligibility situation, according to the petition.

The filing argues the uncertainty stems from the NCAA’s denial of Chambliss’ waiver request and its continued legal challenge to a preliminary injunction issued Feb. 12 by Judge Robert Whitwell that allows Chambliss to remain eligible.

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Chambliss attorney Tom Mars declined comment on the matter when contacted on Thursday. There will be more to this story in the coming weeks. 

Chambliss, who finished eighth in Heisman Trophy voting after leading Ole Miss to 13 wins and a College Football Playoff semifinal, is seeking damages tied to the lost deal and other alleged NIL losses.

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