As a result, he claimed, the developer and publisher opted to create a Madden character resembling his height, skin color, weight and skills. The lawsuit was dismissed in 2009 by a US District Judge in California, who ruled EA was protected by First Amendment rights. But, in 2010, Brown's legal team appealed that decision in the 9th US Circuit Court of Appeals. The wait seems to have paid off, especially when, according to ESPN, EA pays less than 500,000 to Madden cover athletes.

"I took a stand for all athletes and laid a framework for future plaintiffs with my great legal team," Brown said in a statement on Monday. "Hopefully, this is a step forward in getting companies like Electronic Arts to recognize the value that athletes have in selling their products."