Sidney vs the NCAA is getting ugly

[Russ Smith]

Since we last left this story. The NCAA has asked for tax records for both Sidney's parents, and his grandparents(amid rumors the grandparents funneled cash to the family to avoid scrutiny). Sidney's attorney Donald Jackson decided to play the race card and said the NCAA is persecuting "2 generations of black families" by making such requests. He knows perfectly well they're the victims of OJ Mayo getting caught, they're the ones taking the fallout from that but it has nothing to do with Sidney being black.

And Jackson texted Gary Parrish of CBS to tell him the NCAA was "demanding" Jackson sign a privacy agreement which he said he refused to sign because he would not let the NCAA shut him up. The NCAA says the agreement is standard in any investigation, the difference is Jackson has refused to sign it this time(he's represented several athletes vs the NCAA and in the past apparently always signed the agreement). The NCAA is obviously getting tired of Jackson giving out details of meetings to reporters so they're pushing the issue.

Jackson also accused the NCAA of threatening to withold Sidney's clearance if they didn't divulge financial records they have no legal right to ask for. Well last time I checked if you want to play for an NCAA member institution, you have to abide by their rules. The whole thing is so simple, if Sidney and his family did nothing wrong, prove it, produce the financial docs, banking records, tax records, the 2 personal loan documents and prove that they didn't violate his amateur status. Then Jackson can crow all he wants about how bad the NCAA treated the family. Until then, the more they refuse to divulge proof the more it appears to me that it's because they know those docs will make the NCAA's case. So yes they are threatening you, either prove you didn't take money, or don't play D1 basketball.


Draftexpress is reporting that Sidney now has a 200K offer to play overseas and if he doesn't get cleared, he'll go that route. Andy Katz said he thinks Sidney will ultimately get cleared but not before the season starts, he figures the NCAA is banking that Sidney will give up and go to Europe if they hold out long enough.

I have no idea what is going on wiht Lance Stephenson's case but there's a reason why, near as I can tell Donald Jackson is not involved in that case so it's not being reported in the media all the time.

 

[Russ Smith]

Minor correction, Jackson says he's never signed a confidentiality agreement with the NCAA in past cases. The NCAA says it's standard in any interview where a 3rd party(a lawyer) is present, they ask for that 3rd party to sign a CA. So they notified Jackson if he didn't sign the agreement, he wouldn't be allowed to sit in on any more interviews the NCAA is conducting.

 

[Russ Smith]

According to published reports Sidney has 9 days left. The NCAA sent an ultimatum to the Sidneys and their lawyer saying they have 21 days to comply with their documentation requests, provide bank records(including on 2 personal loans), provide parents tax returns, provide grandparents tax returns.

The lawyer says he will provide the parents returns but he will NOT provide the grandparents returns(considers it invasion of privacy) and will not provide the bank records.

The NCAA said “If you do not provide a response to all of these requests within the next 21 calendar days, in accordance with the amateurism certification staff, policies and procedures, Mr. Sidney Jr. may receive a certification decision of ‘not certified’ due to non-response.”

Will be a real precedent setting case if the NCAA follows through. Jackson is on record that if the NCAA denies Sidney on the current evidence he will have no choice but to sue. Given past precedent like the Michael Glover case with Seton Hall it would appear to be pointless to sue, by the time any case could be resolved, Sidney will have missed his freshman year and will be NBA draft eligible.

Somewhere Lance Stephenson's people are watching on the edge of their seats since they figure to get a very similar level of scrutiny.

 

[Russ Smith]

Sidney has been cleared academically and is expected to attend classes starting tomorrow. He still has not been cleared amateur wise and the 21 day deadline expires on Thursday so it's possible by Friday the NCAA could make an announcement on his amateur status.

 

[Brianellsworth]

Thanks for the updates russ. My brother played against him in a high school tournament so I am interested to see how this all plays out.