Ward cites by-law 12.5.2.1, but also refers to by-law 12.5.2.2, which requires the university to "take steps to stop or prevent activity that could result in an NCAA violation and a loss of eligibility. The University of Alabama took at least two such steps, issuing a cease and desist letter to T-Town Menswear owner Tom Al-Betar on December 22, 2010. Then, out of an "abundance of caution," the university disassociated Al-Betar for a period of three years.

"Student-athletes can't endorse or recommend a particular business and can't be paid for using that business' product or service. If a student-athlete's image or representation is used by a business to imply endorsement without the knowledge or permission of the student-athlete, the student-athlete or the institution must take steps to protect his/her eligibility."

"It is not a violation for student-athletes to sign autographs and it is not a violation for a business to display photos, jerseys or other items depicting current student-athletes. We found no evidence that any student-athlete received any extra benefits," said a statement from Mike Ward, University of Alabama Associate Athletics Director for Compliance.

"NCAA by-law 12.5.2.1 states that:
After becoming a student-athlete, an individual shall not be eligible for participation in intercollegiate athletics if the individual:
(a) Accepts 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; or
(b) Receives remuneration for endorsing a commercial product or service through the individual's use of such product or service.

By the simplest interpretation of this legislation, it would appear that T-Town Menswear is in violation of NCAA rules and the eligibility of the players involved in the story is in question. But interpretations of the rules permit student-athlete names and pictures to appear in an advertisement of a particular business as long as "the promotion or advertisement does not include a reproduction of the product with which the business is associated or any other item or description identifying the business or service other than its trademark," says Stacey Osburn, NCAA spokesperson.

Ward cites by-law 12.5.2.1, but also refers to by-law 12.5.2.2, which requires the university to "take steps to stop or prevent activity that could result in an NCAA violation and a loss of eligibility. The University of Alabama took at least two such steps, issuing a cease and desist letter to T-Town Menswear owner Tom Al-Betar on December 22, 2010. Then, out of an "abundance of caution," the university disassociated Al-Betar for a period of three years.

"Student-athletes can't endorse or recommend a particular business and can't be paid for using that business' product or service. If a student-athlete's image or representation is used by a business to imply endorsement without the knowledge or permission of the student-athlete, the student-athlete or the institution must take steps to protect his/her eligibility."

"It is not a violation for student-athletes to sign autographs and it is not a violation for a business to display photos, jerseys or other items depicting current student-athletes. We found no evidence that any student-athlete received any extra benefits," said a statement from Mike Ward, University of Alabama Associate Athletics Director for Compliance.

By the simplest interpretation of this legislation, it would appear that T-Town Menswear is in violation of NCAA rules and the eligibility of the players involved in the story is in question. But interpretations of the rules permit student-athlete names and pictures to appear in an advertisement of a particular business as long as "the promotion or advertisement does not include a reproduction of the product with which the business is associated or any other item or description identifying the business or service other than its trademark," says Stacey Osburn, NCAA spokesperson.

Perhaps there are commercials out there using current players, but I've never seen or heard of any.

autograph signing?

yeah right

finebaum has been doing this for 20 years- he probably increased his listening base with all this nonsense

what was his motivation for trying to blindside Chizik at media days?

*There's also a story by MyFoxAl concerning the lack of anything to do with AU football or Cam Newton on those Bingo trial tapes. They reportedly scoured the case information and concluded that was all a bunch of hooey. And bammers, I know it was that wacko LSU fan who started that mess, but you guys had 1,200+ page threads in three of your forums about it. That is just sad.

Danny Sheridan was an epic failbot yesterday – there is no getting around it. What a toolbox.

WDE

If I was Finebaum, Sheridan would never be on the show again

When serial killer Ted Bundy was executed for two of the many murders he had committed, it really did not matter that he was not convicted of all murders. The punishment was the same.

Doesn't really matter which NCAA violation Auburn is convicted of whether it is Cam or one of the others .. The penalty is the same….

Adn you know deep down in your heart that it is coming…

The world wasn't fooled into thinking he would produce a name. 95% of the people covering it did so with the full intention of tearing Sheridan to shreds. And as soon he said he wouldn't reveal the name, everyone did exactly that.

If a guys says he's going to reveal who shot JFK, the media will be there… on the .00000001 chance he's not a quack. That doesn't mean they believe him or support him. It's their job.

Thanks for reading,
John

There was no way he was going to say a name because he doesn't know one and that should have been obvious to everyone based on his first interview. This was nothing more than a stunt to sabotage media days into blindsiding Chizik with NCAA questions and even though it worked for that purpose it cost Sheridan whatever reputation he may have had left. I hope that was worth it to him. Next time consider what school the person attended before you believe the lie.

take it for what it is… entertainment with some good guests every now and then

I'd say a jackass who reads this site for free, intentionally misrepresents how we're portraying stories, and lobs insults at us is worse.

Say, I kind of like insulting all the ugly people who throw barbs our way.

This is fun. Maybe Gregg Doyel is onto something.

John

even with the letdown, the bashing Sheridan has had to take from callers has almost made up for it

vs

Some facebook photos of Bama players giving autographs (nope not a violation, no matter how much you try to make it one)

then, I'll let you get back to your Auburn Sociology Degree

Photos showing what? A player having dinner with a booster who was not disassociated at the time of the dinner? Players signing autographs?

Show me photos or receipts proving that T-Town Menswear was paying players for their signatures and I'll be glad to call for heads. But so far, that doesn't exist.

We have said, however, that the NCAA should look into whether or not these Alabama players were being used to promote T-Town Menswear. There appears to be some evidence there.

But just because someone's got a photo of someone sitting in a backroom of a store, that doesn't mean something went on. Sort of like just because a daddy asked one school for $180,000 is doesn't mean he asked another school for cash.

We can all deduce whatever we like on both of these stories, but at this site, we're going to go by the evidence. And the photos of players signing autographs isn't much evidence of cheating. Is it enough for the NCAA to ask questions? Yes. We think so. As was the case with Cecil Newton's request for cash.

Always love the folks who can't make a point without throwing out an insult. So in response… why don't you just kiss off?

John

I think you misunderstood my opening paragraph. I was saying that just because someone has a reputation to protect, you can't assume that he's telling the truth when he makes accusations… without providing proof.

I'm basing my opinion that he — like oh so many others — isn't providing any proof.

Thanks,
John

My only point here is that Sheridan has a reputation to keep. If he's spouting crap then he is risking his reputation and his career. Like I said, I don't know whether or not he knows what he is talking about. He very well could be spouting crap and if he is then he is quite foolish and his career will suffer. I'm simply saying that I find it unlikely that he is doing that. I could be wrong though.

He's also a promoter, not so much a reporter. My guess is that he will reveal more details as time passes. If he gives everything he has up at once then he's not likely to do many spots on Finebaum. He won't get many articles written about him in the blogosphere and most people won't pay much attention to him after the fact. That in and of itself may make him a non-credible source, but I'm just basing my opinion on his track record.

-or-

Running a regional web site, reporting on said writer, and pretending that this is news?

And everytime I've linked to those T-Town Menswear stories, I've pointed out that there is no proof of wrongdoing, no proof of players getting paid.

You obviously read what you wanted to read and skipped the rest of it.

This site has handled the Cam Newton accusations and the T-Town Menswear accusations in exactly the same way. There's more gossip than proof, more supposition than evidence. And we've said that regarding Danny Sheridan, OutkickTheCoverage, SportsByBrooks and Scott Moore. If they have proof or if their gossip turns out to be fact, we'll be happy to point that out. Until that happens, we say they're all dealing in rumors.

Anyone not wearing a Bammer or a Barner hat knows that's true.

John

I'm a pretty credible guy. I do radio across the south and television on a network that gets into 14 states. This site draws praise from other sites across the web for its fairness. Also, in my line of work, I can't risk ruining my reputation by telling lies.

Now let's say that I accuse you of bedwetting.

And I'm not going to offer any proof.

But I say you're a bedwetter. And just because I'll give no proof, that doesn't mean I'm wrong.

See how silly that is? If someone has proof, they should provide it. If they don't, they should close their mouths.

Thanks for reading the site. It's appreciated.
John