NCAA requested LSU investigate Leonard Fournette's family

Josh Peter | USA TODAY Sports

LSU's investigation into whether the family of star running back Leonard Fournette violated NCAA rules came at the request of the NCAA, according to a person familiar with the matter who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the situation.





Taylor Porter, a law firm in Baton Rouge representing LSU, has expressed particular interest in the discounts of at least $20,000 three companies said they provided in building a website to sell merchandise emblazoned with “BUGA Nation” — Leonard Fournette’s catchphrase — the person told USA TODAY Sports on Wednesday.

Paul Price, described by Fournette's mother as the family’s manager, made payments of about $10,000 to build the website and produce the merchandise to be sold, according to the company owners.

The owners told USA TODAY Sports last week they provided the discounts because they expected strong sales driven by the star running back's popularity. Taylor Porter made contact with the principals on Tuesday, according to two people familiar with the matter.

Fournette is a top candidate for the Heisman Trophy and leads the nation with 1,383 yards rushing.



Tom Yeager, former director of the NCAA’s Committee on Infractions, said it has become common in recent years for the NCAA to ask a school “to take a first run at developing whatever the information is.’’



Yeager, who worked on the Committee on Infractions for nine years and last served in 2013, said LSU’s investigation likely will focus in part on rules governing improper extra benefits. The NCAA prohibits athletes and their families from profiting on the athlete’s name, likeness and image.



“They just have to dig in and find out who did what, when and where and who benefited, if anybody," said Yeager, commissioner of the Colonial Athletic Association conference. “It’s really no different than if you go seek legal advice and the normal (fee) is $1,000, but if you’re a prominent student athlete you get billed $500. You need to get an explanation and see what that all entails."

NCAA spokeswoman Stacey Osburn and LSU declined comment.

Rick Chryst, former commissioner of the Mid-American Conference, said the circumstances surrounding the Fournette case remind him of reoccurring issues with NCAA rules.

“Things are so fluid right now in all of these areas that it’s a little bit of a moving target," said Chryst, senior vice president/of counsel with Dietz Sports & Entertainment, “So many aspects of the collegiate model are in play, specific to extra benefits and more generally to the student-athlete compact, if you will, whether it’s name and likeness, cost of attendance.

“It’s why we’re in the courts and it’s why there’s been responsiveness from a governance perspective, and I think we’re searching for consensus right now."

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