Did an autograph dealer tell the Georgia compliance office about Todd Gurley allegedly receiving compensation for signed items?
Someone claiming to be a dealer emailed SB Nation on September 30 saying he had video of Gurley signing items. Gurley was suspended Thursday for reportedly being paid to sign memorabilia. An athlete receiving compensation for his or her likeness is against NCAA rules.
According to SI.com, someone confirmed to Georgia's compliance office this week that Gurley had been paid $400 for signing 80 items.
Here's the email from SB Nation:
I have video of Todd Gurley doing a private autograph signing ***. He has been paid thousands of dollars for his stuff over the last 18 months. I personally paid him for this signing on the video. I have bought and sold game used equipment from him.
I want no compensation. Just want someone to leak this story that's deserving. If you have any interest, give me a call or email. I attached a photo of him in my car signing a mini helmet that I just sold last week on my eBay store.
All I ask is some privacy until we can touch base. id="paragraph4">I live on Georgia and would crucified if my name was released
The video is about 5 minutes long but doesn't show the money exchange.
My cell is **********
I believe this would be the lead story on sports center if ESPN got their hands on this. Hope to hear from you soon.
SB Nation was unable to confirm the identity of the person signing autographs in the video.
When the person who sent the email was called (and after the site verified the person was selling items with Gurley's signature), the person reached at the number said he could not talk at the moment and didn't provide any other information.
If Georgia deems that Gurley did commit an NCAA violation, he must be declared ineligible and the NCAA must reinstate him. Any penalties upon reinstatement would depend on the total value of compensation. Per Fox Sports, Gurley is expected to miss 2-3 games.
As Pat Forde noted Thursday, while the NCAA's rules regarding likenesses may be archaic, Gurley had to know the rules and that he was breaking them. At the very least, he had to be aware of the controversy surrounding Johnny Manziel at the beginning of 2013. While the NCAA never found proof that Manziel had been compensated for his signature, he was suspended for the first half of Texas A&M's season opener.
For more Georgia news, visit UGASports.com.
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Nick Bromberg is the assistant editor of Dr. Saturday on Yahoo Sports. Have a tip? Email him at nickbromberg@yahoo.com or follow him on Twitter!
From Dr. Saturday - NCAAF - Yahoo Sports - Autograph dealer sent email in September saying Todd Gurley had signed items
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