The U. The Canes. They are a university rooted in premier athletic competition…and controversy. It’s not looking good for the University of Miami–the private university which has always competed with the powerhouse state schools.
It is never good when the NCAA catches wind of your university having a relationship with someone convicted of participating in a Ponzi scheme. In the case of Miami, that convict would be former booster, Nevin Shapiro.
Shapiro was convicted in June to serve 20 years in prison for playing king pin in a scheme that took more than 930 million dollars. In addition to the hard time, Shapiro was also ordered to pay 82 million in restitution to many of the investors he boned.
So. Where does he enter into the latest Miami scandal? It is being reported that he was the mastermind behind an illegal benefits scandal that lasted from 2002-2010, and consisted of everything from cash benefits to yachting trips to cars t0 jewelry, clothing and of course, whores. Harlots. Prostitutes. Hookers. However you prefer to refer.
Shapiro has stated that he did these things as a booster because he could, and because nobody stopped him. The scandal implicates a host of players, including many current Miami players as well as former players currently playing professionally. Willis McGahee, Devin Hester, Antrell Rolle and many, many, many others. It isn’t just limited to football players, but therein lies the quantity.
Yahoo! Sports broke the story, and within the interview offered to the media outlet, Shapiro certainly seemed like he had an ax to grind:
“Hell yeah, I recruited a lot of kids for Miami. With access to the clubs, access to the strip joints. My house. My boat. We’re talking about high school football players. Not anybody can just get into the clubs or strip joints. Who is going to pay for it and make it happen? That was me.”
Miami fans. If these allegations are proven true–considering the university’s checkered football past…the NCAA could certainly drop a significant boom. I don’t think the “death penalty” will be an option on the table–I think the NCAA (which is just as criminal as Shapiro) has finally realized such a punishment does far more long term harm than good. That having been said, the punishment handed down will be a program changer.
