The Feds have the goods on Pitino

[Fijimn]

Looks like the federales have his minion on tape in Vegas saying the Pitino told him to pay them the family of the recruit off. 2 Adidas executives were indicted today. It's funny that we expect so much from the kids, when it's the adults that cannot be trusted. Frankly, the entire college sports system needs to be imploded.

https://www.si.com/college-basketba...&utm_medium=social&xid=socialflow_facebook_si

 

[Urban Cryer]

We should start by canceling the rest of this season. Hell throw bball on there too!

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

I haven't followed this but why is it a federal matter? Why is the government even involved in this?

 

[LesClaypool]

I haven't followed this but why is it a federal matter? Why is the government even involved in this?

Exactly - why can’t Adidas and/or Louisville pay whoever they want?

Ridiculous that these are “crimes” at all.

 

[Fijimn]

I haven't followed this but why is it a federal matter? Why is the government even involved in this?

Bribery (and other crimes) that crossed state lines. Large corporations involved with bribery should be prosecuted...as should the coach and administrators.

 

[Fijimn]

Exactly - why can’t Adidas and/or Louisville pay whoever they want?

Ridiculous that these are “crimes” at all.

I totally agree. Remove the scholarship athlete from colleges and return universities to their core values of higher education. All sports will be intermural; including football, basketball and baseball. Make football and basketball pay for its own fundamental league. Of course, we would never see FSU or any college football game on television again, but it would be a much better system.

 

[LesClaypool]

I totally agree. Remove the scholarship athlete from colleges and return universities to their core values of higher education. All sports will be intermural; including football, basketball and baseball. Make football and basketball pay for its own fundamental league. Of course, we would never see FSU or any college football game on television again, but it would be a much better system.

We may never see FSU football on TV again anyway at this rate.

The fact remains, the FBI is not the enforcement arm of the NCAA, nor should they be. If schools want to jeopardize their own NCAA status by accepting cash from someone, they should have every right to do so. This is sports...it's not real life.

 

[SoddyNole]

Who would have thought John Calipari would be the innocent one with all this corruption going around?

 

[Random_John]

If there is money to be made somewhere then let it be made.

 

[DanC78]

The federalals are involved because the school receives subsidies from the government. If Adidas is compensating them, then it would affect the money they receive from the government.

They essentially robbing the federal government by taking the bribe.

 

[LesClaypool]

The federalals are involved because the school receives subsidies from the government. If Adidas is compensating them, then it would affect the money they receive from the government.

They essentially robbing the federal government by taking the bribe.

Respectfully, I don't think that's what this is about...but maybe I'm wrong. Wouldn't be the first time.

 

[DanC78]

Respectfully, I don't think that's what this is about.

That’s what they said in Mike and Mike. I️ didn’t make it up on my own.

 

[LesClaypool]

That’s what they said in Mike and Mike. I️ didn’t make it up on my own.

Gotcha. I just edited my post as you were replying.

 

[Formerly Rockymtnole]

Even if appropriate for them to look into doesn't mean they should. I can't imagine the federal government doesn't have more important priorities.

 

[GoNolesTX]

Even if appropriate for them to look into doesn't mean they should. I can't imagine the federal government doesn't have more important priorities.

Like an NFL player's dispute over being suspended?

 

[Finance85]

AAU has been the driving force in corrupting basketball. It's had a major effect at the high school level, and is even affecting middle school hoops.

 

[seminoledq]

I totally agree. Remove the scholarship athlete from colleges and return universities to their core values of higher education. All sports will be intermural; including football, basketball and baseball. Make football and basketball pay for its own fundamental league. Of course, we would never see FSU or any college football game on television again, but it would be a much better system.

But then what would we bet on?

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Can only imagine there will be a number of charges, from bribery to RICO violations. The feds have every reason to look into this.

The NCAA is a fundamentally flawed organization and I agree w/ OP that the billion dollar "amateur" sports industry does not belong under the purview of any public university.

No where in a university's mission to be an institution of higher learning is there reference to also running a multi million dollar athletic program and ownership/operation of hundreds of millions of dollars worth of related capital.

I hope one day in the future there is a Tallahassee Seminoles and an Athens Bulldogs, which pay players fair market value in cash, include a stipend direct deposited to a local university, and pay universities for the rent of their facilities as unfortunately we're already too far gone in the ownership of capital.

 

[wbnolefan2]

Sometimes I wish I lived near a small D3 college so I could just follow their sports programs. Imagine attending live events only and never watching another team sports event on TV.

 

[cjnoles9399]

I hope one day in the future there is a Tallahassee Seminoles and an Athens Bulldogs, which pay players fair market value in cash, include a stipend direct deposited to a local university, and pay universities for the rent of their facilities as unfortunately we're already too far gone in the ownership of capital.

Would this basically be the same as the "club sports" that are on campuses in many other sports? I'm not familiar with the club sports model but aren't they responsible for their own finances and sponsorships? I'm sure their respective governing bodies have stipulations for how sponsorships are obtained and what can be done with the funds. I imagine "football clubs" like your scenario as private entities that aren't officially sponsored by the schools and the current governing bodies that we know (conferences and NCAA). An undertaking like this would take a huge backing from major TV players and at some point it looks like the current TV/conference model's bubble will burst. Then the top 40-60 major programs could be ripe for the picking under a new governing body outside of the NCAA and current conference affiliations. The only problem I see is that the startup process for a new organization would be rife with the same corruption as it currently is. But at least it would be a private venture and not operated under the guise of academic institutions.

 

[ReliableOstrich]

Would this basically be the same as the "club sports" that are on campuses in many other sports? I'm not familiar with the club sports model but aren't they responsible for their own finances and sponsorships? I'm sure their respective governing bodies have stipulations for how sponsorships are obtained and what can be done with the funds. I imagine "football clubs" like your scenario as private entities that aren't officially sponsored by the schools and the current governing bodies that we know (conferences and NCAA). An undertaking like this would take a huge backing from major TV players and at some point it looks like the current TV/conference model's bubble will burst. Then the top 40-60 major programs could be ripe for the picking under a new governing body outside of the NCAA and current conference affiliations. The only problem I see is that the startup process for a new organization would be rife with the same corruption as it currently is. But at least it would be a private venture and not operated under the guise of academic institutions.

agree that the start up process would be corrupt with a number of businesses trying to curry favor - but it's not like it's not already a corrupt house of cards.

 

[DDennis73]

If they had what amounts to minor league basketball and football like some threaten I think they will be very disappointed. As the old saying goes fans root for the name on the back of the jersey in the pros and the front of the jersey in college.

I love FSU and will always root for the Noles. Im sure some of the D League teams could beat most college teams in basketball but you couldnt pay me to watch a game like that. You could take all the kids from a D3 school and put them in FSU and UF uniforms and I bet you would still fill the stadium with fans.

 

[Mugsy101]

The NCAA should end athletic scholarships and make them academic scholarships where athletes must meet a certain academic level, probably 150% of the current requirements currently in place. There could be some some exceptions made like there are in some of the colleges for admissions, but they should be far and few between.

Once the NBA and the NFL realize that colleges are not their free minor leagues, you will see them begin to operate a true minor league system to develop talent and players who no interest, and no desire to be in college. These would basically be trade schools, not unlike somebody who wants to be a master plumber or electrician, it takes time, let the NFL pay for the cost, and deal with the problems.

Return college sports to, if not a pure, close to amateurism where they have to make the grade to continue their chosen athletic and academic career.

 

[funksouljon]

Sometimes I wish I lived near a small D3 college so I could just follow their sports programs. Imagine attending live events only and never watching another team sports event on TV.

Where do you live? Fl is void of options. I do have 1,2,3 options here, except AF football is like D2. But actually do watch D2 basketball and sometimes soccer. Too bad none of the schools here have football. Just can't replace big time football tho.

 

[407nole]

If Adidas or Nike wants to sign a 17 year old kid they should be able to.These kids are months away from declaring for the draft