EA Sports College Football 26 is finally here—but this time, playing as Illinois does more than just win you digital trophies… it puts real money into the program’s hands.

In this episode of Locked On Illini, Sunny Verma breaks down EA Sports’ brand-new royalty model that rewards schools based on how often fans play as them. That means the more fans choose Illinois in the game, the more money flows to the athletic department.

🎮 We break down:

What changed in EA Sports’ payment system Why this is a major win for growing programs like Illinois How you (or your kids!) can help the Illini get PAID And why it ties directly into NIL, retention, and recruiting Plus: Illinois vs. Tennessee in Nashville is official, and we’re planning a Locked On Illini meetup!

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📲 Follow Sunny on X: @talkillini Welcome to Locked On Illini, your one-stop show for all things Illinois Fighting Illini football and basketball! Join host Sunny Verma as he brings you in-depth analysis, game previews, post-game breakdowns, and exclusive interviews with players, coaches, and insiders. Whether you're a die-hard Illini fan or just looking to stay updated on the latest in college sports, this is the podcast for you. Tune in on YouTube and your favorite audio platforms for fresh episodes and all the insights you need to stay ahead of the game. Get ready to be Locked On Illini! Don't forget to like, comment, and subscribe for more in-depth coverage of Illini basketball and football! Email us at: talkillini@gmail.com FOLLOW OUR FACEBOOK PAGE! https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61564192637267 NEW ILLINI DISCORD: https://discord.gg/BaQtWMhp Follow Sunny's personal account: @theSunnyV

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Article Referenced:

For your next listen, check out the Locked On College Football podcast! From NIL deals to never ending conference realignment rumors, Spencer McLaughlin gets you ready for an exciting season on the gridiron! Click HERE to listen now. Part of the Locked On Podcast Network. Your Team. Every Day.

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