The NCAA could have a difficult time ruling Johnny Manziel ineligible if it is unable to find any of the money he was allegedly paid by autograph brokers. The more brokers there are, however, the better chance there is of uncovering some concrete evidence. And now, there are supposedly at least three brokers.
ESPN’s “Outside the Lines” reported on Tuesday that a third autograph broker who, speaking under the condition of anonymity, claimed Manziel was paid $7,500 for signing memorabilia on Jan. 11-12 while attending the Walter Camp Football Foundation event in New Haven, Conn. Manziel allegedly signed around 300 mini and full-sized football helmets.
The broker said the signings took place at three different times and that Manziel was paid on three separate occasions. The dealer and his partner requested money from ESPN to release videos of Manziel signing helmets, but ESPN declined. Instead, ESPN’s Joe Schad was allowed to view the roughly nine minutes of footage.
According to Schad, Manziel could be heard on the videos saying “you never did a signing with me” and told the broker he would never deal with him in the future if he told anyone about their arrangement. The Heisman Trophy winner allegedly added that he would simply say he was approached by autograph seekers if the information got out.
The broker told ESPN that he received so many autographs from Manziel that he has not yet sold all of them on eBay or to dealers. And the best part: Manziel supposedly told him he wanted the money to buy new rims for his car.
There are now at least three autograph brokers who are connected to Manziel. The first, who is believed to be Drew Tieman, is based in Ft. Lauderdale, Fla. and allegedly met with Manziel the day before the BCS National Championship Game to purchase autographs from him. The second, whose identity is unknown, is based in Alabama and claims to have met with Manziel the night before the Texas A&M vs. Alabama game in November. The third, who supposedly paid the 20-year-old $7,500, is from New Haven, Conn.
Manziel comes from a wealthy family, which is the way many people have explained how he can score courtside seats to NBA games and play a round of golf at Pebble Beach. If that’s the case, he shouldn’t need money to buy new rims badly enough that he would risk his NCAA eligibility for it. Then again, you never know.
