Comment: Maggette's Admission, Duke's Dilemma

Raleigh, North Carolina, July 14, 2000 -- In a reversal of his earlier statements, former Duke University superstar and newly acquired Los Angeles Clipper Corey Maggette has admitted to taking cash payments from Myron Piggie, his summer league coach on a Kansas City-based team while in high school. The NCAA requires all student-athletes to sign a waiver indicating that they have not received any payments to participate in their sport. According to part of the federal indictment against Piggie, Maggette "submitted a false and fraudulent Student-Athlete Statement to Duke University on Oct. 27, 1998, certifying that he had not received payments to participate in basketball." The NCAA requires student-athletes to sign such a statement in order to certify their amateur status. If Maggette did receive payments, he would not have had amateur status while at Duke, a fact that might have serious repercussions for the University. Showing his concern, Duke executive Vice President said that Maggette’s admission “raises substantial questions about his eligibility to play for the Blue Devils during the 1998-1999 season.”

While Duke claims they were unaware of the payments to Maggette, his admission puts the entire Blue Devils basketball program in jeopardy. Duke will almost certainly have to give up their second place finish in the 1999 Final Four tournament. In addition, and maybe more important, it is possible Duke might have to give back over $200,000 in tournament revenue.Jane Jankowski, an NCAA spokeswoman said that past instances like this one have seen teams give up any titles won and return 45% of its game revenue. However, if it is proved that the school knew about the violations, Duke could lose up to 90% of its tournament revenue. Not surprisingly, Duke spokesman Al Rossiter Jr. said “Clearly, this [Maggette’s admission] is not what we wanted to hear...”

Piggie's Charges

Prosecutors are trying to build a strong case against Piggie. Piggie has already pleaded guilty last May to a conspiracy charge, resulting from defrauding Duke and three other colleges. Piggie is facing 3-5 years in prison for that conspiracy conviction, and the government is looking to extend his sentence for these payments made from 1996 through 1998 which amount to over $35,000. The federal indictment states that Piggie paid players in exchange for promises that they would pay him once they had signed contracts and obtained endorsement deals. The indictment also accuses Piggie of using the players to secure money from a booster and Nike. Players included on Piggie’s client list include JaRon Rush, Kareem Rush, and Andre Williams. All three were suspended by the NCAA for taking money from Piggie. [click here for more background]

Confusing to some is the District Attorney’s insistence on punishing Piggie so severely . According to CBS Sportsline, one Kansas City attorney was quoted as saying “I don’t know that is their agenda or motives are outside prosecuting Myron Piggie aggressively or perhaps going after something else. Why are they going after Maggette? You’ve got an admission from Piggie. Are you tightening up your case? You’ve got a tight case anyway.” There is some speculation also that Nike might have something to worry about after promising Piggie a $400,000 contract during his time as a summer coach. Whatever the result, it is seeming more and more that unless the rules are changed, schools are going to have to give back nearly as many titles as they win.

Matt Roberts