Bagman Documentary: Foul Play Episodes 1-4

Submitted by farside286 on

The original bagman article written was written by SB Nation's Steven Godfrey (link here in case you haven't read it: https://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/4/10/5594348/college-football-bag-man-interview) a little over four years ago.   It brought to light what everyone knew was happening in some extent.

We'll he's back with a new documentary series covering this topic in way more detail.  Sounds like this will be heavily featuring Ole Miss's 2013 class.

Episode 1-4 were released and can be viewed here.  https://www.go90.com/shows/foulplay

Comment below your thoughts.

Robbie Moore

May 30th, 2018 at 8:46 AM ^

Infuriating as well. And anything that exposes the "pious" Hugh Freeze is good by definition. But I'm taking a nap. Wake me if there is an NCAA sighting.

Boogie down

May 30th, 2018 at 9:32 AM ^

I'm not that impressed. Nothing we didn't already know, and really anyone who follows recruiting, reads the newspaper or this blog could do this documentary. 

OC Alum91

June 1st, 2018 at 12:22 AM ^

There's a little more than I remember here.

1.)  He talks about Leo Lewis, the MSU linebacker who is NCAA's start witness.  Ends up getting hung out to dry when Ole Miss boosters sue him in civil defamation lawsuit for future salary--instant chilling effect on anyone coming forward.  NCAA can only protect him by guaranteeing his elibigibility, but no way to protect him in lawsuit.  Kid can't afford to defense, and will have hard time getting any job in Missisippi.  NCAA, Ole Miss carry on but kid will lose; 

2)  In testimony Lewis names a few other schools and people guilty of infractions, but NCAA redacts the names, only showing Ole Miss.  NCAA does not investigate other the schools.  The suggestion is that NCAA just wants to make example of Ole Miss, but doesn't really want to believe that this bagmen stuff is systemic, to allow the song to keep playing.

Apologies if it was discussed here....for me watching those angles play out in the documentary were frustrating.

 

old98blue

May 30th, 2018 at 11:22 AM ^

While I enjoyed the documentary paying players is still not the solution. I believe this will lead to fewer opportunities for kids to go to college as some college programs will eliminate the sport altogether just because of the extra cost and again how do you tell a softball player that she's not going to get the same amount of money as a football player or a basketball player same holds true with all the other sports

Chiwolve

May 30th, 2018 at 11:34 AM ^

"Dear softball player - you will have an opportunity to compete in the sport you love while earning a market-wage and free world-class education. You most likely will not be getting paid the same amount as some of the other athletes in more high-profile sports - these rates are primarily driven by the market for each sport."

 

That's how you do it 

bronxblue

May 30th, 2018 at 11:27 AM ^

I will admit to not particularly liking Steven Godfrey (when he's not co-hosting PAPN I find it a far more enjoyable experience), but this series seems fine for people who sorta follow college sports and are the "I'm shocked! I'm shocked gambling is going on here" crowd.  Everyone else shouldn't be remotely surprised, and the "this was a screw job on Tunsil" angle is tired and misleading, but then again for all his bluster about not really being an Ole Miss fan, he's still an alum, he has lots of connections in that state and that program, and so this is a bit of a PR schmozz job.

I'll probably watch a couple more just because I find the bagman culture interesting and anything that may ultimately lead to players getting paid above-board is a plus, but for all the "Project X" talk he's had over the past year or two, this was exactly the sorta-meh output I expected.

Crisler 71

May 30th, 2018 at 4:53 PM ^

If schools paid 100% of football revenue to football players and likewise all other revenue sports, demoting all other sports to self funded club teams, bagmen would still be the deciding factor.  No poor kid is going to turn down an extra 10 or 20 grand.  As long as the NCAA ignores them bagmen will make payments.

Loosen up on "insignificant" rules like considering a hamburger a violation though.

trueblueintexas

May 30th, 2018 at 5:19 PM ^

This. Conflating the two arguments is simply a way to make the argument for paying players sound better.

If a kid (and/or family) is willing to take X thousand dollars to attend a certain school now, they will do so on top of what ever money that school will ultimately pay them. 

Anyone wonder why Bill Gates, Warren Buffet and Jeff Bezos didn't decide to stop earning money once they had banked their first $1 Billion? Because the second, third, fourth...etc billion is just as good.

BlueDMD

May 30th, 2018 at 5:34 PM ^

Every time I bring this stuff up the instant response is that it happens everywhere.  So, what does everybody think?  Does this in fact happen everywhere?  Do the northern teams just not pony up as much dough? 

My own thoughts are that it may happen a little bit in other places but it is rampant in the south.  Hugh Freeze represents the culture well down here.  Act as if you're above board.  Go to church and tell everybody about it.  Say the right things in public.  Do whatever you can get away with in private.  

MGoStrength

May 30th, 2018 at 10:02 PM ^

My favorite quote is when the author says "These kids are risking their bodies and minds to play a game for our entertainment for nothing."  I call BS.  While there is no doubt they deserve compensation and have a value, they are not getting nothing.  These kids would play for less if given no other option.  They have been their entire lives.  They love playing.  Being a football player is their identity.  They get recognized, they love the attention & celebrity they recieve from playing in addition to getting a full scholarship, great coaching, the best training staff, and preperation for either the NFL and/or a free education, etc.  They may noy get as much as they deserve, but it's far from nothing.