13 UNC football players, including Chazz Surratt who many thought had a shot at becoming the Tar Heels’ starting quarterback, have been suspended for selling school issued Jordans.
Offensive lineman Brian Anderson, defensive end Malik Carney, wide receiver Beau Corrales, defensive end Tomon Fox, defensive end Tyrone Hopper, offensive lineman Quiron Johnson, linebacker Malik Robinson, Surratt and offensive lineman Jordan Tucker will each sit out four games. Defensive backs Greg Ross and Tre Shaw will miss two games, and quarterback Jack Davidson and offensive lineman Jonah Melton will miss one.
In the interest of safety, since some players play the same position, the NCAA has agreed to stagger the suspensions.
According to the News and Observer, on January 12th UNC officials found out the students sold retro Jordans to a Greenboro store for roughly $2,500 in cash.
In January, 15 players on North Carolina’s football team sold school-issued sneakers in exchange for as much $2,500 in cash, according emails obtained by The News & Observer in a public records request.
According to the emails, the university found out about the sales on Jan. 12 after a member of the public sent an email to the athletic director alleging that a number of individuals who received the UNC Retro Air Jordan 3’s may have sold them to a local shoe business. A local business called “Request Boutique” in Greensboro was alleged to be involved.
Four days later, athletic director Bubba Cunningham and head coach Larry Fedora held a meeting with the players to address the actions. The university required all players to return the shoes.
The university self-reported the allegations to the NCAA.
Rules were broken and the students and team will pay for it, but who is holding the company that knowingly and illegally bought the sneakers from the students accountable? The irony here is that players are getting suspended for selling the same type of gear the university sells on a regular basis. Incidents like these only expose a broken system that profits off the talents and labor of young athletes – while not allowing them to profit themselves.