Johnny Football

[PLACforever]

Cannot believe he signed 4400+ autographs in 3 states. And the fact that he STILL hasn't come out and said "I didn't do it" and retained a lawyer is sooooooo telling.

Unbelievable number. What ever happened to autographs being rare to be worth something?

 

[Irish Insanity]

A&M has to be very careful here. They have the most to lose. The NCAA already look like idiots, JFootball will be in the draft next year regardless. If he plays even a snap and sometime after they discover anything of proof enough to sit him, they will get hit as well. If they are smart they split reps with his back up at minimum and if there is no indication when the season starts of a resolution, he has to sit. They would be stupid not to.

 

[Booslum31]

Cannot believe he signed 4400+ autographs in 3 states. And the fact that he STILL hasn't come out and said "I didn't do it" and retained a lawyer is sooooooo telling.

Doesn't strike me as a guy who would sign 400 free autographs...let alone 4400. it is weird that we are hearing really nothing about the investigation.

 

[phork]

I know this is hard to say without laughing but if the NCAA messes this up it just might be the straw that broke the camels back. We all know they are going to mess it up, if they haven't already.

 

[IrishLax]

I know this is hard to say without laughing but if the NCAA messes this up it just might be the straw that broke the camels back. We all know they are going to mess it up, if they haven't already.

This is really the crux of the issue. If they let Cam Newton + Miami + Manziel all get away with blatant cheating because they couldn't close the case, it becomes open-f*cking-season to cheat. Just funnel money through an intermediary and deny knowledge if you get caught.

There is beyond a preponderance of evidence that Manziel has gotten paid for autographs. He should lose his eligibility. The end. Any other conclusion would be total BS.

 

[ulukinatme]

More Manziel goodies from the Shag:

 

[T Town Tommy]

Emmert will be the death of the NCAA. He needs to go.

 

[phork]

Thankfully the reputation of the Heisman was upheld when awarded to Manziel over that liar Teo.

 

[RDU Irish]

Quick Ebay search finds JM autographed pics going for $30 - $100, auction style so probably close higher than that. At $50 average value, those 4400 autographs would be $220,000 retail value. Not too shabby.

Then again, I wonder if those values are up or down as a result of the publicity. Kind of surprised they are that there is sure to be ample supply.

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

There's just no way he didn't take money for his autographs.

 

[RDU Irish]

There's just no way he didn't take money for his autographs.

You haven't been following along, he didn't take any money for the autographs, Uncle Nate did. The only breaking piece is Manziel apparently is going to change his name to Hans Schultz. "I KNOW NOTHING!"

 

[ulukinatme]

The only breaking piece is Manziel apparently is going to change his name to Hans Schultz. "I KNOW NOTHING!"

You mean Sumlin?

 

[Cackalacky]

Cannot believe he signed 4400+ autographs in 3 states. And the fact that he STILL hasn't come out and said "I didn't do it" and retained a lawyer is sooooooo telling.

Can't forget there is a cell phone video putting him in a room doing it. It will end up being the money and did he receive it.

The former head of the NCAA Infractions division was on Mike and Mike and was saying if they can't prove he got paid then there may be no wrong doing. If they can he may never play NCAA again and one cannot infer he got paid just because he signed so many. It is also murky under the rule of use of likeness and personal imaging as well. In the end, if they can't determine money went from the brokers to Manziel...there may not be a case.

 

[RDU Irish]

I find it plausible the coach knew nothing or at least felt uncomfortable about this Uncle Nate dipchit being so in the middle of milking his buddy's fame.

Johnny will need to lie directly to A&M and the NCAA about his knowledge, you bet your butt he knew there was money changing hands. Just like you can bet he benefited from it later, albeit indirectly.

It seems the slippery slope of circumstantial evidence is at stake here. Without it they can't punish an obvious violation but they seem very reluctant to punish anything that isn't completely incontrovertible.

 

[Booslum31]

Can't forget there is a cell phone video putting him in a room doing it. It will end up being the money and did he receive it.

The former head of the NCAA Infractions division was on Mike and Mike and was saying if they can't prove he got paid then there may be no wrong doing. If they can he may never play NCAA again and one cannot infer he got paid just because he signed so many. It is also murky under the rule of use of likeness and personal imaging as well. In the end, if they can't determine money went from the brokers to Manziel...there may not be a case.

We need NCIS on the case...they'd figure it out. I think that the NCAA is probably a bit more like Ace Ventura than Gibbs.

 

[IrishLax]

Can't forget there is a cell phone video putting him in a room doing it. It will end up being the money and did he receive it.

The former head of the NCAA Infractions division was on Mike and Mike and was saying if they can't prove he got paid then there may be no wrong doing. If they can he may never play NCAA again and one cannot infer he got paid just because he signed so many. It is also murky under the rule of use of likeness and personal imaging as well. In the end, if they can't determine money went from the brokers to Manziel...there may not be a case.

That guy is nuts! Sure they can! This is what is so maddening about the NCAA! You have brokers saying they paid $$ to a guy that Manziel hired to represent and manage him. Why did they pay him money? Becuase the guy Manziel hired to handle his business said Manziel wanted $$ to do it. Then, after receiving the money, Manziel went and signed thousands of autographs in different states. You have to be a complete ignoramus to think Manziel didn't get paid. Scenario 1: Manziel receives cash to sign autographs, and so he goes and signs thousands of autographs. Scenario 2: Manziel decides for no apparent reason to sign thousands of autographs for brokers he doesn't know so that they can profit off of him. Which of those makes sense for a normal person? How about for a person who went and trademarked Johnny Football so others couldn't profit off of him? A jury would convict him 10 out of 10 times.

This would be the equivalent of an actor having a manager, the manager booking an appearance for money, the actor making the appearance... and then the actor claiming he had no idea any money changed hands and did the signings "just because."

And then you have Manziel lawyering up and still not making a statement denying involvement. He is 100% guilty and it is obvious. If the NCAA doesn't do something, every athlete will just go hire a "manager" as an intermediary for their $$$ and it will be the Wild West.

 

[Booslum31]

That guy is nuts! Sure they can! This is what is so maddening about the NCAA! You have brokers saying they paid $$ to a guy that Manziel hired to represent and manage him. Why did they pay him money? Becuase the guy Manziel hired to handle his business said Manziel wanted $$ to do it. Then, after receiving the money, Manziel went and signed thousands of autographs in different states. You have to be a complete ignoramus to think Manziel didn't get paid. Scenario 1: Manziel receives cash to sign autographs, and so he goes and signs thousands of autographs. Scenario 2: Manziel decides for no apparent reason to sign thousands of autographs for brokers he doesn't know so that they can profit off of him. Which of those makes sense for a normal person? How about for a person who went and trademarked Johnny Football so others couldn't profit off of him? A jury would convict him 10 out of 10 times.

This would be the equivalent of an actor having a manager, the manager booking an appearance for money, the actor making the appearance... and then the actor claiming he had no idea any money changed hands and did the signings "just because."

And then you have Manziel lawyering up and still not making a statement denying involvement. He is 100% guilty and it is obvious. If the NCAA doesn't do something, every athlete will just go hire a "manager" as an intermediary for their $$$ and it will be the Wild West.

Great analogy...pretty much sums it up. Speaking of Lawyering-up...I think the NCAA will be hesitant to go after him too hard if the case isn't a slam dunk because they know there will be appeals and counter-suits from the Manziel camp and tons of negative pub.

 

[Grahambo]

That guy is nuts! Sure they can! This is what is so maddening about the NCAA! You have brokers saying they paid $$ to a guy that Manziel hired to represent and manage him. Why did they pay him money? Becuase the guy Manziel hired to handle his business said Manziel wanted $$ to do it. Then, after receiving the money, Manziel went and signed thousands of autographs in different states. You have to be a complete ignoramus to think Manziel didn't get paid. Scenario 1: Manziel receives cash to sign autographs, and so he goes and signs thousands of autographs. Scenario 2: Manziel decides for no apparent reason to sign thousands of autographs for brokers he doesn't know so that they can profit off of him. Which of those makes sense for a normal person? How about for a person who went and trademarked Johnny Football so others couldn't profit off of him? A jury would convict him 10 out of 10 times.

This would be the equivalent of an actor having a manager, the manager booking an appearance for money, the actor making the appearance... and then the actor claiming he had no idea any money changed hands and did the signings "just because."

And then you have Manziel lawyering up and still not making a statement denying involvement. He is 100% guilty and it is obvious. If the NCAA doesn't do something, every athlete will just go hire a "manager" as an intermediary for their $$$ and it will be the Wild West.

It's already like that to an extent. Boosters will find someone they trust, a former alum for example who will then receive money from the booster with instructions to take care of the recruit.

 

[Irish#1]

Heard on the radio that there may be something coming from the NCAA sooner rather than later. They didn't say what time frame "sooner" was, but I got the impression it would be before the first game. Now what will the punishment will be? Hard telling, but given that the NCAA has let us down more often than not, I expect he'll get suspended for two games.

 

[dshans]

There is a possible third scenario: Johnny has a deal (a signing bonus, if you will) in which his compensation is delayed to the time when he is no longer under the umbrella of NCAA regulations. The agreement could even be oral. Hell, even if it's written it could be drawn with language that would shield him.

Either way, sans subpoena power and/or cooperation from "playas" in the scheme, the NCAA would be at a distinct disadvantage.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

...a guy that Manziel hired to represent and manage him. Why did they pay him money? Becuase the guy Manziel hired to handle his business said Manziel wanted $$ to do it...

This would be the equivalent of an actor having a manager, the manager booking an appearance for money, the actor making the appearance... and then the actor claiming he had no idea any money changed hands and did the signings "just because."...

This 'Uncle Nate' isn't paid though (at least not in over-the-table monetary sums...) -- he's a friend from high school. The pre-existing contact also helps get around those other rules re: representation.

 

[ndfi78]

Deadspin story - The Long Con: How The Manziels Conquered America

Deadspin story - The Long Con: How The Manziels Conquered America

http://deadspin.com/the-long-con-how-the-manziels-conquered-america-1040593220

So he comes by it naturally

 

[Irish#1]

Quick Ebay search finds JM autographed pics going for $30 - $100, auction style so probably close higher than that. At $50 average value, those 4400 autographs would be $220,000 retail value. Not too shabby.

Then again, I wonder if those values are up or down as a result of the publicity. Kind of surprised they are that there is sure to be ample supply.

The more they find out there, the more the value will drop. One thing we know for sure. Whoever owns the Honus Wagner cards won't have to worry.

 

[Irish#1]

There is a possible third scenario: Johnny has a deal (a signing bonus, if you will) in which his compensation is delayed to the time when he is no longer under the umbrella of NCAA regulations. The agreement could even be oral. Hell, even if it's written it could be drawn with language that would shield him.

Either way, sans subpoena power and/or cooperation from "playas" in the scheme, the NCAA would be at a distinct disadvantage.

I'm pretty sure the NCAA already has a rule against this type of scenario.

 

[Cackalacky]

That guy is nuts! Sure they can! This is what is so maddening about the NCAA! You have brokers saying they paid $$ to a guy that Manziel hired to represent and manage him. Why did they pay him money? Becuase the guy Manziel hired to handle his business said Manziel wanted $$ to do it. Then, after receiving the money, Manziel went and signed thousands of autographs in different states. You have to be a complete ignoramus to think Manziel didn't get paid. Scenario 1: Manziel receives cash to sign autographs, and so he goes and signs thousands of autographs. Scenario 2: Manziel decides for no apparent reason to sign thousands of autographs for brokers he doesn't know so that they can profit off of him. Which of those makes sense for a normal person? How about for a person who went and trademarked Johnny Football so others couldn't profit off of him? A jury would convict him 10 out of 10 times.

This would be the equivalent of an actor having a manager, the manager booking an appearance for money, the actor making the appearance... and then the actor claiming he had no idea any money changed hands and did the signings "just because."

And then you have Manziel lawyering up and still not making a statement denying involvement. He is 100% guilty and it is obvious. If the NCAA doesn't do something, every athlete will just go hire a "manager" as an intermediary for their $$$ and it will be the Wild West.

I thought I heard the brokers were not going to cooperate. if they don't cooperate, then the NCAA are left with just the video of him signing items and basically some rumors, right?

According to the guy on M&M, if they can't tie Manziel directly to the money...well...the brokers paid the manager at a minimum. Manziel could just as easily say he thought it was for charity or something that is a lie and without the evidence tying him directly to the money (like Reggie Bush's signature on the agent's credit cards from Vegas) it will be difficult to bring Manziel down.

I also don't think getting a lawyer is a bad move or implies guilt at all. Its probably fairly smart. He needs someone to speak for him and serve as protection through all of this. He has Cam Newton's law firm so they have done this before. I would get a lawyer, keep my mouth shut, let A&M, the NCAA and the lawyers figure it out and settle it before the season starts. If A&M starts the season without Manziel, then I would say they have something on him. If he plays, they don't.

 

[Cackalacky]

Heard on the radio that there may be something coming from the NCAA sooner rather than later. They didn't say what time frame "sooner" was, but I got the impression it would be before the first game. Now what will the punishment will be? Hard telling, but given that the NCAA has let us down more often than not, I expect he'll get suspended for two games.

If they are moving this fast, I don't think much will come of it. They moved fairly quickly in the Cam Newton case getting him eligible for the NCG one day after Auburn declared him ineligible IIRC.

 

[dshans]

I'm pretty sure the NCAA already has a rule against this type of scenario.

I wouldn't doubt it, but we've all seen just how easy it is to sidestep many NCAA rules.

 

[Irish Houstonian]

I'm pretty sure the NCAA already has a rule against this type of scenario.

Yep. He basically has an account receivable. He'd even owe taxes on it.

 

[dshans]

OK, OK, OK! UNCLE, UNCLE, UNCLE! [Not Nate ...]

I'm not a bookkeeper, CPA, Tax accountant, tax or contracts attorney or an expert on NCAA rules and regulations. I give, I give!

 

[Ultimate Penn St. Hater]

Wow! Thanks for posting that.