Did T-Town Menswear Cause an NCAA Violation For Alabama? (UA says no)

[bamanut_aj]

Compliance is WAAAAAAAAAAAY ahead of everyone else on this and they say it's a non-issue.

and I believe 'em....but that was last Friday when the story 'broke' that some dude with a suit shop had some pics of players signing things.

It's getting a little deeper. Cautiously optimistic here......once bitten, twice shy sort of thing......

 

[OpsCon]

Everybody needs to unfollow Clay Travis and Sports by Brooks. It will be better for your nerves. If you think all that compliance did was ask our players if they broke any rules, you are dreaming. You better believe they gathered receipts and other financial data to back up player claims that they paid full price. At most this will result in players paying back the cost of whatever minor benefit they may have received and being suspended for 2-3 games.

 

[bamanut_aj]

This,, good post


The lack of faith in our own players by some is astounding..

These are the same people who claim AU is innocent and not underinvestigation.

if you've kept up with BAMA football the last few years, even our own players don't exactly have a sterling reputation for being on the side of righteousness. I know some like to think that "if it happens at another school, it's a violation; if it happens at BAMA, it's the NCAA being biased" but that's not the case. Wrong is wrong. We've been wrong recently, and I hope we're not in the wrong here.

But you can't fault some for being a little cautious, given our record the last decade or so.

 

[RedStar]

Just so everyone can stop worrying, sideline passes are pretty easy to come by, several, several hundred are issued for each game. I got 2 for the 2009 season 1 against Arkansas and the other against Chattanooga. During the Arky game, I also got one for my wife and during Chattanooga, I got one for my dad.

It's all about knowing the right people. They're pretty easy to get.

As far as the autographs. Do I have an NCAA violation on my wall at work? I have a flag autographed by some of Bama's all time great's, including a few current players such as Richardson and Kirkpatrick. I didn't get them to sign it, I won it in a raffle.

Just because an autographed item is sold/is up for sale doesn't mean it's a violation. If that were the case, no team would be playing football next year.

Michael Dyer signed items on eBay

Aaron Murray signed items on eBay

Denard Robinson signed items on eBay

Marcus Lattimore signed items on eBay

Jordan Jefferson signed items on eBay

LaMichael James signed items on eBay


Name a famous or popular NCAA football player, and you'll find their items for sale on eBay at any given moment, and who knows how many are for sale at local memorabilia shops. As soon as a dozen items sell, another dozen items pop right back up. Truth be told, we have no idea how many items these guys actually sign. I'd be willing to bet that someone of Richardson's popularity signs upwards of 50 autographs per day, easily. That's just an average day, not including fan days or after a practice or A-Day. On those days, it's easily in the 100's. But, just for the heck of it, let's say 50 (and I still think that's probably low.) That's getting close to 20,000 autographs per year.

There's nothing illegal or wrong about signing autographs, and there's lots of people not associated with the players who take those autographs and try to turn it into a business.

To me, this ranks low on my fear factor scale when compared to the laptop/agent parties/fishing trips. This is a non-issue.

 

[TideAlum]

if you've kept up with BAMA football the last few years, even our own players don't exactly have a sterling reputation for being on the side of righteousness. I know some like to think that "if it happens at another school, it's a violation; if it happens at BAMA, it's the NCAA being biased" but that's not the case. Wrong is wrong. We've been wrong recently, and I hope we're not in the wrong here.

But you can't fault some for being a little cautious, given our record the last decade or so.

Shhh. Don't point out our recent history of players' misdeeds. Shhh...

Some think that compliance depts prevent players from breaking rules. They simply don't. A good compliance dept educates, educates, and educates. They also make sure that their athletic dept/university admin are following NCAA rules. When the players break rules, they report those misdeeds. Compliance depts can't/won't/will never be able to stop a player who goes against the rules education they've previously been provided. At some point there has to be personal responsibility on the part of the player. No matter if it involves a laptop, fishing trip, or lavish party in another state...

 

[CrimsonProf]

Any idea which Japanese steakhouse is in question? There's only one or two in town, especially after Hokkaido got destroyed.

A poster above said the people doubting our guys are the same ones who think Auburn isn't being investigated.

Actually, I think Auburn is going to get nailed by the NCAA, and that's exactly why I'm worried about our players doing stupid stuff.

 

[DiamondDust]

Any idea which Japanese steakhouse is in question? There's only one or two in town, especially after Hokkaido got destroyed.

A poster above said the people doubting our guys are the same ones who think Auburn isn't being investigated.

Actually, I think Auburn is going to get nailed by the NCAA, and that's exactly why I'm worried about our players doing stupid stuff.

I'm guessing the one at Mid-Town village.

 

[OpsCon]

Shhh. Don't point out our recent history of players' misdeeds. Shhh...Some think that compliance depts prevent players from breaking rules. They simply don't. A good compliance dept educates, educates, and educates. They also make sure that their athletic dept/university admin are following NCAA rules. When the players break rules, they report those misdeeds. Compliance depts can't/won't/will never be able to stop a player who goes against the rules education they've previously been provided. At some point there has to be personal responsibility on the part of the player. No matter if it involves a laptop, fishing trip, or lavish party in another state...

You are correct about the role of the compliance department, but wrong about your assumption in this case. If the argument was that the compliance department prevented TR or AJ from breaking a rule, you would be correct. However, we are discussing the proper role of compliance which is to investigate potential issues. They did, and they cleared. Hand wringing that they were wrong serves no purpose, especially given their willingness to suspend star players in the past over possible indiscretions.

 

[TideFan in AU]

This,, good post


The lack of faith in our own players by some is astounding..

These are the same people who claim AU is innocent and not underinvestigation.

Are you serious? We've had players suspended for doing stupid **** every year for the last 4 or 5 years. I hope and pray this ends up being nothing, but we're already on probation, and this looks bad for the program regardless. I'd tell anybody that isn't at least a little worried to remember that this depends on the NCAA doing the right thing. That's what I've been telling the boogers (who I believe are going to get hammered). They keep saying what the NCAA "can't" and "won't" do, and that makes me laugh. Nobody knows what the NCAA is going to do, and I don't even want to give them a reason to look this way. THAT's why I'm nervous.

 

[crimsonaudio]

You are correct about the role of the compliance department, but wrong about your assumption in this case. If the argument was that the compliance department prevented TR or AJ from breaking a rule, you would be correct. However, we are discussing the proper role of compliance which is to investigate potential issues. They did, and they cleared. Hand wringing that they were wrong serves no purpose, especially given their willingness to suspend star players in the past over possible indiscretions.

This.

Our compliance department - under Mike Ward - investigates stuff fully and if there's any chance there's an issue, they forward it to the SEC office.

Unless our compliance dept determines there is an issue, there isn't one. Remember, we're on probation, so any misdeeds get amplified - there's zero chance compliance would have investigated and cleared the issue if there were potential violations that needed to be addressed. I know many here are nervous due to our recent history and what's happening at other schools, but right now there's simply nothing to see here.

We've self reported tons of things under Mike's watch - compliance has been VERY proactive. No reason to believe this is any different just because some hack 'writer' is trying to make a name for himself...

 

[CrimsonProf]

This.

Our compliance department - under Mike Ward - investigates stuff fully and if there's any chance there's an issue, they forward it to the SEC office.

Unless our compliance dept determines there is an issue, there isn't one. Remember, we're on probation, so any misdeeds get amplified - there's zero chance compliance would have investigated and cleared the issue if there were potential violations that needed to be addressed. I know many here are nervous due to our recent history and what's happening at other schools, but right now there's simply nothing to see here.

We've self reported tons of things under Mike's watch - compliance has been VERY proactive. No reason to believe this is any different just because some hack 'writer' is trying to make a name for himself...

That fleshes things out a bit and it does make me feel better. I still worry about the players, though, and hope they all continue to make wise choices.

 

[bamacon]

This kind of stuff is why pro athletes do lines and you have to pay a little. These merchants and autograph hounds do this all the time. It isn't illegal in and of itself. The NCAA cites our compliance staff and process all the time as doing it the "right way." Deflection and misdirection are tools of the guilty.

 

[kyallie]

Alabama releases cease-and-desist letter
Latest from ESPN

 

[TexasRed]

Unless our compliance dept determines there is an issue, there isn't one. Remember, we're on probation, so any misdeeds get amplified - there's zero chance compliance would have investigated and cleared the issue if there were potential violations that needed to be addressed. I know many here are nervous due to our recent history and what's happening at other schools, but right now there's simply nothing to see here.

We've self reported tons of things under Mike's watch - compliance has been VERY proactive. No reason to believe this is any different just because some hack 'writer' is trying to make a name for himself...

I feel really good when my head hits the pillow at night knowing that we actually have a compliance department that works they way it is supposed to.

 

[bamahippie]

Alabama releases cease-and-desist letter
Latest from ESPN

Based on the bylaw quoted in the article, how would I know if some jack-booty that I take a picture with is going to use it to promote his store, unless he tells me of his lame plan? The guy is slimy for doing just that, and to me, what is wrong with the players taking pictures with folks at the mall? Does anyone really believe that they don't take pictures with other folks in other areas and stores of the mall? So what? And if I sit next to a celebrity in a restaurant, does that prove a dang thing? Nope.

Nothing. To see. Here.

 

[RollTide2U]

Remember, we're on probation, so any misdeeds get amplified - there's zero chance compliance would have investigated and cleared the issue if there were potential violations that needed to be addressed.

THIS^^

I know our guys have done some stupid things the past several years, but with the anal exam Bama has been under for the past several years, the compliance dept. is not going to let one slip by or gloss it over if something is really there. Being under probation makes them more cautious, and more apt to go to great lenghts to do it right.

We have the scum of the earth of the Booger Family, AS USUAL, desperate to stir something up and digging for it night and day. They're like the guy who makes sure if he's going down, everybody's going down with him so he rats out the entire crime syndicate.

This is Southwest Conference stuff all over again. They'll take as many with them as they can. Trent may have done something - I hope not, but he may have. But at most, it will probably be a secondary violation of some sort. But the Boogs will drag it through the mud because they know they're going down in a big way. I read a post of an idiot Barner on ATPB board and he made the comment "this is war". They are so delusional they think their troubles are all generated by Alabama.

Most of us probably had a feeling this sort of stuff was coming, so we may as well brace ourselves for it. These scumbags aren't going to give up, and wannabes like Clay Travis are only too happy to take up their cause. Try to ignore it for the most part until something concrete comes out, IF it does. That's all you'll hear on Finebaum, the Opening Drive and Roundtable today. That's what the Booger Eaters want! It gets the spotlight off of them for a change.

 

[Seabass]

Is my timeline wrong here? Didnt the autograph signing take place in October 2010 and the letter was sent in December 2010?

 

[RollTide2U]

Based on the bylaw quoted in the article, how would I know if some jack-booty that I take a picture with is going to use it to promote his store, unless he tells me of his lame plan? The guy is slimy for doing just that, and to me, what is wrong with the players taking pictures with folks at the mall? Does anyone really believe that they don't take pictures with other folks in other areas and stores of the mall? So what? And if I sit next to a celebrity in a restaurant, does that prove a dang thing? Nope.

Nothing. To see. Here.

A bunch of the Boogs are making a big deal out of the fact that some of the jerseys Trent is signing have tags on them. If I want a signed jersey, I will go buy it, leave the tags and the official NCAA hologram thing on there (which is important, because licensed apparel is worth much more), etc., and get the guy to sign it. Why would you take those tags off? If it's authentic merch., you want to keep the tags on it. I dare say, any of this stuff you buy on Ebay signed by any of these athletes will have some tags on them. They will grasp at every straw they can! What would be funny is if some of THEIR players have signed stuff for money and this calls attention to it.

 

[Hamilton]

This is bad. I was unaware that athletes' signatures being sold by third parties--even though the athlete receives no beneft--was against NCAA bylaws and led to inelgibility of the athlete. According to the article and the bylaw listed, that's the case. Unfortunately, I find it hard to believe that an athlete makes multiple trips to a store and "doesn't know" the owner is selling items autographed by that athlete or using them for a promotion. From the looks of it, it does not matter whether or not the athletes received clothing or discounts...they would still be ineligible because they knew that their signatures and likenesses were being used for promotional purposes (which, again, I didn't know was impermissible).

It's even money that we won't be seeing some key players at the start of the season, unfortunately.

 

[CrimsonProf]

This is bad. I was unaware that athletes' signatures being sold by third parties--even though the athlete receives no beneft--was against NCAA bylaws and led to inelgibility of the athlete. According to the article and the bylaw listed, that's the case. Unfortunately, I find it hard to believe that an athlete makes multiple trips to a store and "doesn't know" the owner is selling items autographed by that athlete or using them for a promotion. From the looks of it, it does not matter whether or not the athletes received clothing or discounts...they would still be ineligible because they knew that their signatures and likenesses were being used for promotional purposes (which, again, I didn't know was impermissible).

It's even money that we won't be seeing some key players at the start of the season, unfortunately.

I share that worry, but it is possible that the loser who owns the store - and is it really high-end menswear? - just uses the signed jerseys in the window for promotional purposes, to make himself look important.