University of Miami Booster Says He Provided Perks to 72 Athletes Over the Past Eight Years

A booster for the University of Miami told Yahoo! Sports that he provided cash and benefits to dozens of the school’s athletes over the past decade.

Nevin Shapiro, who’s serving a 20-year sentence for his role in a Ponzi scheme, said that some of the school’s coaches knew about the under-the-table gifts. The gifts included cash, prostitutes, entertainment costs, jewelry, and even, in one case, an abortion for a stripper whom a player impregnated.

Shapiro and his partner at sports agency Axcess Sports & Entertainment reportedly made payments for several players, including Vince Wilfork, Devin Hester, Willis McGahee and the late Sean Taylor. The allegations include 12 current football players, which, if true, would mean that Miami could face severe sanctions that could “put the future of the football program in jeopardy,” according to reports.

The revelations have sparked another round of furor over whether college athletes should get paid. It’s becoming a sad fact that if a college program performs well on the field, boosters will inevitably turn up.

[Yahoo! Sports]