Report: Johnny Manziel May Lose Eligibility

Report: Johnny Manziel May Lose Eligibility

Texas A&M quarterback and Heisman Trophy winner Johnny Manziel’s eligibility may be in jeopardy if the NCAA finds that he accepted money in exchange for signing his autograph on memorabilia.

ESPN reported that the NCAA is investigating whether “Manziel was paid for signing hundreds of autographs on photos and sports memorabilia in January.” Sources have said Manziel “agreed to sign memorabilia in exchange for a five-figure flat fee during his trip to Miami for the Discover BCS National Championship,” but they did not see the “the actual exchange of money” between Manziel and an “autograph broker named Drew Tieman.”

James Garland, the NCAA’s assistant director of enforcement, “in June contacted Tieman and at least one person associated with the signings.”

As ESPN noted, “if the NCAA investigation finds that Manziel has violated NCAA Bylaw 12.5.2.1 — accepting money for promoting or advertising the commercial sale of a product or service — he could be ruled ineligible.”

Manziel reportedly will not be available to the media on Monday. 

COMMENTS

Please let us know if you're having issues with commenting.