Free Cars at The Ohio State?

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http://www.bizjournals.com/dayton/news/2011/05/07/ohio-state-inquiry-of-car-sales-athletes.html

Ohio State investigating car sales to athletes
 Dayton Business Journal - by DBJ Staff
Date: Saturday, May 7, 2011, 6:57pm EDT - Last Modified: Saturday, May 7, 2011, 7:08pm EDT
 
Ohio State University is investigating a new report that players and families of athletes may have had improper dealings with a car dealer who sold them used cars.

 The Ohio State Buckeyes have launched a new investigation into possible wrong-doing involving its football program, with reports of suspicious used car sales to athletes.

A Columbus Dispatch investigative report revealed that numerous car purchases by players and family members of football and basketball players may constitute improper benefits that could violate NCAA rules.

The report said The Dispatch found eight current and former Ohio State University athletes and relatives of 11 athletes bought cars from two dealerships during the past five years. The same salesman, Aaron Kniffin, was involved in those transactions during the times he worked at Jack Maxton Chevrolet or Auto Direct, both Columbus-area car dealerships.

Doug Archie, associate athletic director and head of compliance for the Buckeyes, told the newspaper that the university would look into the auto transactions to make sure nothing improper occurred, and would consult with the Big Ten Conference on what it finds.

However, Archie told The Dispatch that OSU had no indication that any NCAA violations occurred.

The players involved include Daniel "Boom" Herron, quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Chris "Beanie" Wells and basketball player Jon Diebler, whose parents bought a car.

One transaction for linebacker Thaddeus Gibson in 2009 lists on public records with the state that the purchase price for a Chrysler 300 was $0, which was disputed by Gibson and Kniffin.

Most of the cars purchased by the players or their families were Chrylser or General Motors models.

This is the latest possible scandal this year for the OSU football program that saw head coach Jim Tressel and five players, including star quarterback Pryor, suspended for the first five games of this coming season.

The players allegedly were selling memorabilia or trading autographs for free or reduced-priced tattoos. Tressel, it was found, knew about the violations and didn't report them.

While Tressel and the key players are suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season, Buckeye Nation is in a tizzy over the possibility of draconian sanctions from the NCAA.

Among the possibilities are Ohio State being banned from playing in the Big Ten championship game and a postseason bowl this season, losing some scholarships, and being stripped of last year’s victories and Big Ten title.

The NCAA has scheduled a hearing for Tressel and Ohio State administrators Aug. 12, so the football program faces months of uncertainty about its future.

If Tressel is fired or resigns it could cost him his $3.7 million annual pay.

In a letter to Ohio State President Gordon Gee, the NCAA said Tressel “failed to deport himself in accordance with the honesty and integrity normally associated with the conduct and administration of intercollegiate athletics” when he did not alert officials that some of his players were selling awards and apparel.

Tressel said he will pay a $250,000 fine following the March revelations that he kept quiet for months.

The Ohio State athletics department ranks among the top revenue producing department in all of college sports, bringing in more than $100 million annually from bowl game appearances and sponsorships with such companies as Nike Inc.
The trouble recently has disturbed many in Buckeye-Nation after finding steady success on the field that has been hampered by the off-field issues.


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Read more: Ohio State investigating car sales to athletes | Dayton Business Journal

[djsimp]

Uh.....oh! Their ship has already taken some hits, will this be the sinker?

[Xanusus]

I hear the cars that Pryor test drove didn't handle well at high speeds so he took them all back after 3 days.

[jmar]

I hear the cars that Pryor test drove didn't handle well at high speeds so he took them all back after 3 days.

And just who purchases a three day warranty?   

[djsimp]

I hear the cars that Pryor test drove didn't handle well at high speeds so he took them all back after 3 days.

I'm waiting on his Facebook pics.

[The Prowler]

tOSU is about to get smashed.  IMO, Tressel will be fired/resign, two year post-season ban, one year TV ban, loss of 20 scholarships over 4 years.

[AU_Tiger_2000]

I hear the cars that Pryor test drove didn't handle well at high speeds so he took them all back after 3 days.

I heard Pryor's car ran pretty good until he tried to pass.

[JR4AU]

AU sez TG4tOSU

[Tiger Wench]

There is about to be an empty vest in C-bus...  maybe this will take the heat off of Auburn.  tOSU actually DID something that is provable, you know, like with evidence and shit.  I realize most sports writers aren't familiar with facts, but this is so obvious, even Gayer Goat AIDS won't have to make shit up to write the story...

[The Prowler]

There is about to be an empty vest in C-bus...  maybe this will take the heat off of Auburn.  tOSU actually DID something that is provable, you know, like with evidence and shit.  I realize most sports writers aren't familiar with facts, but this is so obvious, even Gayer Goat AIDS won't have to make shit up to write the story...

Exactomundo

[jmar]

Exactomundo

What ever became of the Texas inducement, escort and harassment story that beat down ol' Mack Brown last season?

[The Prowler]

What ever became of the Texas inducement, escort and harassment story that beat down ol' Mack Brown last season?

No idea.

[GH2001]

What ever became of the Texas inducement, escort and harassment story that beat down ol' Mack Brown last season?

UT has the PTB to make things like that go away just like our friends up the road. Bama and Texas are cash cows. Remember that. They play the game better than the Buckeyes.