by Justin Cheng
Much has been made of Johnny Manziel's post-Heisman offseason, which is nothing compared to the mountain of shit he is facing even Hannah Montana/Miley Cyrus would not be able to move. According to a report by ESPN, the NCAA will be investigating whether Manziel agreed to sign memorabilia in exchange for a five-figure flat fee.
If substantial evidence is found linking Manziel to these reported charges, his sophomore eligibility -- and most likely, his collegiate career as well -- will be in jeopardy. The accusations against Manziel are a direct violation of the NCAA 12.5.2.1 bylaw, stipulating that student-athletes may not receive "any remuneration for or permits the use of his or her name or picture to advertise, recommend or promote directly the sale or use of a commercial product or service of any kind."
While the rule, as it currently stands, should still be enforced, there is a huge Pablo Sandoval in the room that needs to be addressed.
Here's for you math majors. This is where the bomb drops.
Everyone has cashed in on Texas A&M's historical season, with the credit due to Manziel. According to a 2012 USA Today report, Texas A&M made $119,702,222 in revenue. A study by Joyce Julius & Associates found that Manziel's success in 2012 generated $37 million of free money for the school. Head coach, Kevin Sumlin, cashed in, recently signing a big raise through 2017, with a base salary of $3.1 million. An independent merchandiser recently auctioned six helmets signed by Manziel and John David Crow (Texas A&M's other Heisman trophy winner) for $81,000. Even a local Ebay dealer was selling Johnny Football t-shirts for $20.
And guess what?
Manziel gets to see absolutely none of that.
While Manziel gets to deal with the junk that comes with being famous, school administrators and bloodsuckers printing t-shirts in the back his van are living lavish lives on his success (well, maybe not so much the bloodsucker with the van). Manziel takes online classes because so many students want to take pictures with him. ESPN calls him out-of-control for leaving a football camp early. For the promise of zero dollars and more Instagram likes, that sounds like a crap deal.
It is beyond comprehension how the NCAA could fathom running a business on a 20 year-old kid and compensate him with just a scholarship. The NCAA should reconsider their stance on letting student-athletes independently market themselves. Maybe then, more players would reconsider bolting for the NFL if they feel that their school isn't ripping them off.
--Prediction--
Even with this saga, the NCAA and money-generating schools will always have the upper hand, and proposals for further student-athlete compensation will be met with a resounding...
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