Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel is caught up in a possible NCAA scandal after reports came out that he was profiting from memorabilia and pieces with his autograph while still an amatuer, something that could result in a suspension, but all the while the NCAA itself has also been profiting off his name, of course through TV, but also through shirts and clothing from the Aggies.
According to Deadspin.com, the NCAA was selling shirts that are number two jerseys for Texas A&M, which is Manziel's number, and as shown in the picture in the report, a search for the term "manziel" turned up that jersey. While it doesn't directly have his name on them, why would the website direct that name to that number? Because it's JOHNNY MANZIEL's. This is one reason why the NCAA loses credibility and looks awful, because yes, it's against the rules for Manziel to profit off his name and right now he is in the middle of some bad press, but why should the NCAA be able to make money off him when he himself cannot?
Manziel has money from his family and that's well and good, but while the NCAA may suspend Manziel for violating rules as an "amateur" or "student athlete", he really isn't doing anything that won't be happening to him in less than a year. Reports from ESPN.com have him making over $7,000 for the autographs and even though that is much less than what he will make if he gets into the NFL, right now it may feel like a lot and on top of that, he may simply just want to have some control over his name and make money off it, something the NCAA does itself. Of course the NCAA then removed the search window from being used on their website.
Check here for the pictures of the jerseys and a picture of the NCAA website.
