As I have mentioned on this site and on my Twitter feed (@Darren_Heitner), the NCAA is finally taking enforcement of its regulations seriously. A few days ago, many of my colleagues were questioning my focus on the investigation at UNC, because of the fact that it is readily known that some agents hand over benefits to student-athletes and rarely get punished, even if there is somewhat strong evidence to investigate further. Then yesterday, we found out that the University of South Carolina may have some players questioned based on the alleged receipt of benefits. And I had heard that it does not end with the players mentioned in the two schools thus far, or with those two schools. In fact, I was told by many that my alma mater might be up next. Interestingly, the name in reports today, is not the same player that I was told to be on the lookout about. That only makes me more nervous.
Pat Forde of ESPN.com has revealed that the University of Florida is working with the NCAA to investigate the alleged receipt of $100,000 by former Gator standout, Maurkice Pouncey. Supposedly, Pouncey received the money at some point between the SEC Championship Game and the Sugar Bowl, from someone associated with a sports agent. Forde does not reveal the agent’s name, and at this point, I do not have any information as to who the agent may be.
It is well known that the agents who spend a lot of money on players prior to that their declarations for the NFL Draft, often times end up losing out. Thus, no one should jump to conclusions that Joel Segal, Pouncey’s current agent, is the agent that is under investigation regarding the $100,000 payment.
UPDATE: Under Florida’s applicable statute governing athlete agents, an agent found guilty of giving Pouncey $100,000 would be guilty of a felony in the second degree in the State of Florida. That agent could be imprisoned for up to 15 years along with getting fined up to $10,000. Who would be the victim in this case? The school? The player? A court could also force the agent to make restitution to any victim for damage or loss caused directly or indirectly by the agent’s offense.
9 replies on “NCAA Chomping At The Gators”
A 100k is a lot of money. This story doesn’t make a lot of sense. The player will probably sign a contract somewhere between $5-7 mil guaranteed over 4 yrs. The max an agent will see is $210k in the first four years. So, the agent’s net is $110k over four years? Very stupid if true.
That’s not the part that surprises me.
I hope all of these agents get caught. This will clean up the industry.
wait so when you say the max an agent will get is 210k over the course of 4 years or 210k every year for four years?
Darren,
We have discussed this “problem” many times….it’s a shame but most of the agents in the industry do it, only making it more of a problem! I hope this problem gets fixed before it gets out of hand……then again, if an agent is crazy enough to spend 90% of the commission they “might” get to land this player……they need help.
I am curious if this could be covered up anyway or hidden in the forms of a “deferred line of credit”…….I hear many of these guys being “gifted” loans from banks because of their potential financial windfall…….
Until the athletes are punished, this activity will not stop. Why shouldn’t an athlete take the money? What they get from the school in terms of scholarship, room and board is pathetic compared to the revebue they bring in.
The only current pubishment is ineligibility. In Pouncey’s case, the illegal activity wasn’t discovered until after he graduated. So I hardly think you could call Pouncey a victim – he got the money (which he won’t be required to pay back), and he was a first round draft pick. He moves on, and the agent faces legal trouble (which he should), and the university faces embarrassment and the potential of having to vacate their victory and returning the money they received for making it to the game (which they shouldn’t).
The perpetrators here are the agent AND Pouncey. Only the agent will be punished. The victim is the University of Florida.
they will also earn a cut of endorsements (often a bigger % than the contract). Plus I assume he was also buying his brother.
Unfortunately for the agent, he can’t fight for his money back (ala Reggie Bush situation) because he would be confessing to a felony in Florida.