EA Sports' iconic slogan "it's in the game" has taken on a whole new meaning for Missouri State University. The school recently revealed that their partnership with EA Sports College Football 26 has turned into a significant revenue stream, proving that virtual play can yield real-world rewards.

Last year, EA Sports announced a groundbreaking royalty system for college football programs. The more gamers choose to play as a particular team, the more that school earns. Missouri State has now given us a first-hand look at just how profitable this arrangement can be.

Thanks to gamers selecting the Missouri State Bears as their team of choice, the university has pocketed over $100,000 in royalties. Kelsey Tolbert, Missouri State's associate director of athletics for external relations, shared the exciting news during a Board of Governors meeting.

"It's all based off how much the public played as Missouri State," Tolbert explained. "We got our numbers back a couple weeks ago, and we ranked 69th out of 136 schools and second among Conference USA peers. It ultimately equated to over $100,000 back to us in royalty payments."

Think about that for a moment. The 69th most-played team in College Football 26—a program that's not exactly a household name—still brought in six figures. That's a testament to the game's massive player base and the appetite for college football action on virtual turf.

If Missouri State's earnings are any indication, the top 25 most-used teams must be looking at some seriously impressive paydays. While those figures haven't been made public yet, it's easy to imagine that powerhouse programs like Alabama, Georgia, or Ohio State could be raking in millions.

For Missouri State, this is more than just a nice bonus. It's a sign that even smaller programs can benefit from the booming world of sports gaming. Whether you're a Bears fan or just love a good underdog story, this news proves that in the digital gridiron, everyone has a shot at victory—and a piece of the pie.