Money Players

We want sports agent gossip

After all things Cam Newton, the biggest story from the 2011 NFL Combine was the arrest of agent Pat Dye, Jr.

The story started out on Pro Football Talk (PFT) with four unnamed sources for every unnamed agent who allegedly ran afoul with the law. (Seriously, I tried to count.)

Mike Florio provided the play-by-play for Combinegate:

We contacted the agent in question, who strongly denied the allegation. The league denied it, too. Later in the day, we received word from an eyewitness who saw the agent with what initially was described as a player’s credential. The second source later clarified that it was a sponsor’s credential, and the second source said that the agent was handcuffed temporarily. The agent once again strongly denied it. The league once again denied it, too. We then dispatched Rosenthal to sniff around Indy. He spoke with multiple security personnel at Lucas Oil Stadium, but no one admitted to knowing anything."

"No one admitted to knowing anything." In journalism, that small point usually stops an otherwise good story. But that's so 2008. Now, witnesses who lack credibility get elevated to unnamed source status. And the medium formerly known as gossip gets dressed up as hard news.

We like gossip. We want gossip.

Meatballs, one my favorite 80s comedies, reflects the marketplace's zest for gossip...

Sports by Brooks took it from here with this awesome headline:

Pat Dye Jr. Cuffed At Combine, Sexton Escapes

Who cares about Pat Dye's run-in with the po-po? I want to know about superagent Jimmy Sexton's harrowing, 007-ish escape. According to my imaginative sources, there are only three ways Sexton could have possibly escaped:

1) He avoided capture by scaling Lucas Oil Stadium rafters, then breaking a window, careening down the exterior, then blending in with the 2,242 other NFL agents walking Indy streets.

2) When questioned by Indianapolis police, Sexton pointed out that he was deputized by NCAA cops by virtue of serving on the NCAA's blue ribbon panel to “tackle the complex issue of improper agent activity in college sports.” The fine print: Participation includes immunity from agent laws.

3) Sexton ran from police while Dye played it safe, which is in his family's DNA.

Then Liz Mullen from Sports Business Journal went old-school journalism and got Pat Dye on the phone and on the record.

Talk about a let-the-air-out headline:

NFL Player Agent Pat Dye Jr. Questioned By Police In Indianapolis

According to Pat Dye:

"We were contacted by Under Armour that they would like to have (Dye's and Sexton's client Alabama WR) Julio Jones formally sign his seven-figure marketing deal that includes a national television commercial. I did nothing wrong or illegal."

Dye was "interviewed for about two-and-a-half hours before he was allowed to leave."

Taxpayer dollars at work, folks.

Meanwhile, Indianapolis has seen a recent uptick in violent crime. In response, Indianapolis police "added more officers downtown Saturday night...in the wake of a Saturday morning killing in the bar district."

That edict was two weeks ago, before Indy overfloweth with 8,000 NFL agents.

These are scary times for sports agents. In 2008, an agent who is no longer working as an agent was arrested for violating Alabama's agent laws. (Last month, an arrest warrant was issued when the former agent failed to show up in court at his plea hearing.) The case dates back to 2005 when the agent allegedly sent an employee to visit Alabama football star Tyrone Prothro, who (pick one) A) just ran for 400 yards against Auburn or B) was in the hospital for what turned to be a career-ending leg fracture.

Correct answer is B.

While every other agent did the math on 3% of nothing and, therefore, complied with Alabama state agent laws, one agent saw an opportunity to get a (gimpy) leg up on his competition. The agent was charged with a misdemeanor for "initiating contact with an athlete without being a registered sports agent in Alabama and a felony charge of failing to register as a sports agent."

Don Valeska, assistant Alabama attorney general prosecuting the case, laid down the law: “Nobody comes to the state of Alabama without following the law and talks to college athletes."

I have no doubt Alabama takes its agents laws very seriously. I wonder, do these laws encourage agents to comply or does it drive these activities further underground? Mr. Valeska hardly sounds like a fair-minded member of the jurisprudence; more like a man mission to protect his state's greatest natural resource: Amateur football players.

--Marc Isenberg

Follow Marc on twitter @marcisenberg

Comedy Central's Atom.com with an Instant Classic: Writers Room: Super Bowl XLV

What if the NFL was secretly run akin to the WWE? Champions are not made in the offseason...in the weight room...in the film room...on Sunday. No. They're made here...in the writers room! Sort of the literal version of Bill Walsh's "scripting plays." On a more profound (and still comedic) level, it does explore why "concussing" is so dramatic. Enjoy this intense, hard-fought meeting to determine the outcome of Super Bowl XLV by the sketch comedy group, 12 Angry Mascots!

--Marc Isenberg

12 Angry Mascots Channel
Tags: Atom.com | Funny Videos | Tournament | Upload

Money Players: "Top 10 Books of 2010 List."

 

Expedition Into Culture may not be a major news source, but it does know quality. It's just a blog written by a "young journalist looking to provide fresh insight on a wide range of topics." But anyone who appreciates my work (besides my parents or my wife) is always welcome. More so when you consider the company I'm keeping... Dan Brown, Malcolm Gladwell, the late Jim Murray and Paulo Coelho. Together, we've sold millions of books! Also great that a reviewer sees the value of Money Players beyond the intended sports business audience.

--Marc Isenberg

Cam Newton precedent speaks well for ‘new’ NCAA

Here's my latest Basketball Times article, where I discuss the NCAA, some of its obscure (and insane) rules and, of course, Cam Newton. Spoiler alert: Several times during this article, I defend the NCAA. Stop the presses!

Read full article.

Follow me on twitter @marcisenberg

The National Letter of Intent Sucks!

This Wednesday, November 10th, is National Signing Day for college basketball and several other sports. Accepting an athletic scholarship is a huge deal. Unfortunately, the hype and media attention surrounding National Signing Day overshadows the actual agreement, the National Letter of Intent.

Most athletes (and their families) are thrilled to end the recruiting process and accept a guaranteed (or so they are led to believe) 1-year athletic scholarship. 

College sports can be great in many ways, but the NLI shows just how lopsided the relationship between athlete and institution really is.

There at least 10 reasons why the NLI sucks. Reading the NLI and listening to the decades-old spin from the NCAA community, it reminds me of the fraternity initiation (er, whipping) from Animal House. "Thank you, sir! May I have another?"

1) It totally misrepresents reality

The NLI stipulates that athletes are signing with school, not athletic program, even if the actual recruiting process reflects the opposite. Yes, we want athletes to factor the school into their decisions, but every dollar—or thousand—an athletic department invests to sign a player signals just the opposite. Kentucky coach John Calipari, who is one of the few coaches willing to put his money where his mouth is (more on that later), once said: "Kids come and go to programs in most cases because of the coach. We can say that's not the case and they're supposed to sign at the school, but let's be real. They want to play for the coach."

2) Yeah, right the NLI is a "voluntary"

Technically, the NLI is a voluntary program. In 2007, the NCAA's Susan Peal, the director of the NLI, told Seth Davis: "Parents call me all the time [with questions], and I tell them hey, you don't have to sign the NLI. The coach will give you an athletics aid agreement, which has to accompany the NLI anyway. Now, will institutions let you do that? Maybe not, but it's worth asking the question." Wishful thinking.

3) "Know the rules...before you sign"

The first thing you see on the NLI website is that statement, which is like telling taxpayers, "Learn the IRS tax code." Even if you know everything, you still have pay taxes. For athletes and their families, even if they know the NLI and NCAA rules cold, almost every recruit will still sign the dadgum thing. The most galling part of the NLI website is that it lists the "many advantages to both prospective student-athletes and participating educational institution." If you say something enough times, you start to believe it. And so do others.

Figuring out the good and bad guys

While I write about sports and business, I don't often write about friends embroiled in scandal. Obviously, I couldn't overlook Bruce Pearl's situation without comment. Here's my October Basketball Times column on Bruce Pearl and the state of college sports...

These days, you can’t tell the good guys from the bad

Marc Isenberg

October 2010

Everyone knows cheating is wrong, in all areas of life. As the college sports world and the media continue to grapple with this “agent problem,” we should remember: the problem is far more pervasive than agents. This is a college sports problem. Agents play a key role, no doubt. But, there are many characters in this bad play. There are coaches, trainers, athletic administrators, financial advisors and people whose motives aren’t so clearly defined. Ultimately, everybody wants to make a buck. A million. Or a billion. It’s the American way.

People should abide by the rules, whether they play, work for or are associated with NCAA sports. Violators should be caught. End of story. We’d all love to eradicate or even lessen cheating in college sports. But how?

Read full article (PDF).

Big Pimping in College Football Circa 1959

Many have weighed in on Reggie Bush forfeiting his 2005 Heisman Trophy. While it never should have come to this, Bush can now put this matter behind him--and focus on all the great things he's doing, on and off the field.

Most former Heisman winners interviewed oppose going back in history to erase Bush's Heisman-winning season.

Eddie George, 1995 Heisman winner from Ohio State makes an interesting, but seemingly far-fetched point:

"My only concern now is what happens if they find out that in the 1950s a booster bought a player a cup of coffee?" They cheated back then too? But, let's not sweat the small, garden-variety NCAA rule bending. Let's find something that would be shake the college football world.

For those who like to idealize the days of 'ole, look away. This will not be pretty.

The year is 1959. Billy Cannon was a star running back at LSU. He won the Heisman trophy that year.

Cannon first pro contract? A three-year deal worth $50,000. Signed it November 1959. The GM of the NFL team was clever enough to post-date the contract January 1, 1960 in an attempt to skirt NCAA rules. Cannon led LSU to a Sugar Bowl victory against rival Ole Miss (LSU won 7-3 and Cannon scored the game's only TD on an 89-yard punt return. Imagine if Nick Saban was coaching back then. That would be some press conference when the news broke.

So who pimped Cannon's amateur status? Remember, agents weren't around in 1959. It was the Los Angeles Rams, which wanted to sign Cannon before the upstart American Football League upped the stakes. The mastermind behind this illicit agreement? None other than the mastermind behind modern professional sports, Pete Rozelle, who in 1959 was the Rams general manager.

The public would likely have never found out about this secret, post-dated contract had Cannon not signed a second pro deal. Immediately after the Sugar Bowl, Cannon signed a $100,000 contract to play for the AFL's Houston Oilers. The Oilers sued, claiming Rozelle manipulated Cannon. The Oilers prevailed in court and Cannon's contract with the Rams was voided.

According to Sports Illustrated, "A lawsuit ensued, which the Oilers won. The judge ruled that Rozelle had taken advantage of a 'provincial lad' untutored...in the ways of the business world." In other words, Rozelle "pimped" a college player.

Oh boy. NCAA, it's your turn. Actually, the NCAA cannot do anything: There's a four-year NCAA statute of limitations on investigations. The Heisman Trust, on the other hand, apparently has no such limitations. Cannon was also inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame in 2008.

Cheating is never right, but it's not like what Reggie Bush did at USC is anything new. There are powerful incentives in college sports to cheat. Always has been. We can (and should) step up our educational and enforcement efforts, but ultimately it comes down to integrity from all parties involved.

--Marc Isenberg

Follow Marc on twitter @marcisenberg

Summer’s Heat wave could help break labor impasse

My August Basketball Times article...

LeBron James’ signing with Miami Heat has seemingly polarized the NBA Nation. Most hate everything about it, especially the way the whole thing went down. No need to provide another rundown of all the bad actors in this play. In the end, James was a “free agent,” which, as the name indicates, meant he earned the right to take his services wherever he desired.

The marriage between James and Dan Gilbert was dysfunctional and clearly beyond repair. Surely both sides could have handled everything better, but that didn’t happen. What happens next is anyone’s guess, although most people believe NBA rings are in the Heat’s future. What about the economic impact? Miami Heat troika of stars might be financial windfall that is felt beyond the Heat – and could positively impact the looming CBA negotiations. Michael Jordan was a money-making machine – and he was universally revered. James was beloved as a Cleveland Cavalier. That changed July 8, 2010 at approximately 9:30pm, when James instantly became the NBA’s version of the Iron Shiek, a reviled WWE character. Miami fans will love him, especially if the Heat win NBA rings. But, to everyone else, the Heat is the new team everyone passionately loves to hate.

Revisiting John Wooden's life and legacy

My most recent Basketball Times article focuses on Coach Wooden's legacy and Sam Gilbert: Wooden must be remembered as teacher-coach – not for Sam Gilbert Marc Isenberg

Everyone agreed following John Wooden’s death at age 99 that he was a true American icon. A common refrain to characterize what Wooden did was that “he coached basketball but he taught life.”

Several years ago, the National Association of Basketball Coaches passed a resolution that its members be referred to as “teacher-coach.” It was an admirable gesture, but just like the term “student-athlete,” it’s something that should be earned, not bestowed. Wooden, without question, set the measurement for what a teacher-coach should be. Wooden would illustrate his true purpose by invoking legendary University of Chicago football coach Amos Alonzo Stagg. After an exceptionally good season, Stagg was asked whether he thought it had been one of his most successful years in coaching. Famously committed to the idea that sports should build character, Stagg replied, “I won’t know for another 25 years or so.” The 10 NCAA championships are an amazing feat, but the success of Wooden’s former players is extraordinary. They are doctors, lawyers, businessmen, teachers and coaches by trade, but more important, there are good people cut from Wooden’s mold. Since Wooden’s passing, there have been countless tributes. Most focus on his inspiring life and his mind-boggling accomplishments. A few have invoked Sam Gilbert – the infamous UCLA booster who was alleged to have provided benefits to Wooden’s players – in order to provide additional context to Wooden’s life. It’s one thing to mention Gilbert in Wooden’s obituaries, but I think it’s absurd to theorize that UCLA’s championships are tainted by Gilbert.

Read the full article (requires PDF).

Is Sam Gilbert relevant to Coach Wooden's legacy?

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are." --John Wooden The day before the NCAA sanctions against USC were released, the Los Angeles Times went into its Way-back Machine (we now know it as google) to give us yet another story on Sam Gilbert and his role in UCLA/Wooden basketball dynasty. I have no problem when people speak ill of the dead, if they must, but, goodness gracious, so much for letting Coach Wooden rest in peace. If the Gilbert/Wooden story has legs, as they say, then bring it on. Give us new information or a new wrinkle to this 40-year old story that gets trotted out whenever someone wants to take shots at Wooden's legacy. I have no doubt Sam Gilbert broke NCAA rules. Does that tarnish UCLA's basketball dynasty? If you want it to, I suppose. Or it's just sour grapes. There's cheating in big time college sports. Shocking. Jerry Tarkanian, former Long Beach State and UNLV coach, used to say, “In major college basketball, nine out of 10 teams break the rules. The other one is in last place.” Tark liked to jab NCAA by suggesting the organization would never go after UCLA or Wooden. Tark didn't offer a legitimate defense of the NCAA's allegations against him, but it was (and still is) a great punchline delivered with a profound truth: Yes, UNLV may cheat, but everybody cheats.