The NCAA is investigating Texas A&M quarterback JohnnyManziel profited from signing autographs on photos and memorabilia in January.
Two sources have told ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” that Manziel agreed to sign memorabilia for a five-figure free during his trip to Miami for the BCS National Championship.
ESPN reports the following:
Three sources said Manziel signed photographs, footballs, mini football helmets and other items at the request of an autograph broker named Drew Tieman. Two sources, who are aware of the signing arrangement, told “Outside the Lines” that Tieman approached Manziel on Jan. 6, when he landed at Fort Lauderdale-Hollywood International Airport to attend the game between Alabama and Notre Dame the next day.
After that meeting, three sources said, Manziel, accompanied by his friend and personal assistant Nathan Fitch, visited Tieman’s residence and signed hundreds of items in the main room of the apartment despite the fact that there were many people in the room. Before Manziel left South Florida, after taking in the title game, he signed hundreds of autographs more, one source said.
Neither source saw an exchange of money and the NCAA began investigating the incident in June.
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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 for the upcoming season.
