ABC's Armen Keteyian reported on the involvement of agents
in college sports, profiling Jessie Martinez, a "runner" or
"recruiter" for an agent. Martinez claims agent presence is
prevalent at most top schools. Ketayian reported the NCAA
recently suspended 18 athletes at 14 schools for accepting money,
based on information from Martinez. Martinez told Keteyian the
schools he had knowledge of or witnessed "the most illegal
activity" were Tennessee, Miami, Florida, Texas A&M and USC.
Keteyian reported "sources estimate" a "vast majority of first
round draft picks in college football and college basketball are
now on the take." USC Coach John Robinson, whose school took on
agents and won in a lawsuit: "It's like a parent asking their
son, 'How big is the drug problem out there?' You don't get a
straight answer." USC suspended three starters earlier this year
for taking cash and airline tickets from an agent, and is still
investigating receiver Keyshawn Johnson. Agent Elliott Vallen,
who claims to have loaned Johnson $1,200, says the athletes, not
agents, should be accountable ("World News Tonight," ABC,
12/13).
