Georgia Sports Agent Indicted in North Carolina

((ht: newsobserver.com))

And you ask; "Why is it a big deal an agent is indicted?"

The answer is this: Because Terry Watson (the agent) is being indicted in the University of North Carolina football scandal and the charges stem from a state law governing activities related to college athletes.

Watson, according to NewsObserver.com is facing 13 charges of "Athlete-agent inducement". Included are his dealings with former Tar Heel players Greg Little, Marvin Austin and Robert Quinn among others.

The state claims, among other things, Watson helped get Little at least $18,000 in extra benefits back in 2010.

And note--The state requires all agents to register with the state, something Watson may or may not have done as he lists his homebase as Marietta, Georgia.

Read much, much more from the News-Observer RIGHT HERE

We believe, but aren't 100% sure Watson is one of the, if not the first agent charged with breaking the law by practicing illegal activities with college athletes.

Many states have talked about or in some cases adopted laws to protect themselves and in turn their state schools from unscrupulous agents, a problem that's gotten progressively worse as more money flows through college athletics.

And yet it keeps happening.

The hope here is North Carolina's message will be a bit of a deterrent, though really, we don't believe it. Never the less, it's a good start. We'll follow this case as it progresses and let you know what happens.

Investigation: Former UNC Players ID Agent Paying Them

((ht: wralsportsfan.com))

So, a sports agent in Marietta, Georgia was the guy sending money to University of North Carolina football players over the past few years.

That's what the North Carolina Secretary of State's office says after they started investigating Sports Agents. The investigation was triggered nearly 3-years ago after the NCAA accused multiple players of receiving illegal benefits.

Former Tar Heel standout Marvin Austin told investigators he and others got money from Terry Watson and/or a representative of the Watson Sports Agency. A quick search found the Watson Sports Agency is registered as a business in Marietta. Oh, Watson was never registered in North Carolina, despite doing appearing to try and do business there.

Austin had FedEx records that backed up his claim against Watson.

Read the WRAL Sports story RIGHT HERE

Hmmm...

Sure, while the state was strictly looking for Agent impropriety, this opens up, potentially, a new can of worms.

To this point, the investigation into illegalities at the Chapel Hill, NC school have been based around a tutor and academic issues, this obviously crosses that line. And yes, apparently one of the tutors in question apparently got paid by Watson's office too.

What we want to know is how this all happens? Yeah, sure, we know, most schools find ways to skirt the rules and while no charges against administrators exist at the moment, the student athletes seem to have gotten an awful lot.

The NCAA, while lacking a bit in credibility these days, seems to have plenty of information to do something here. Whether they do or not, that folks, is an entirely different question.