Leonard Fournette’s family may have violated NCAA rules

Will Grier, Todd Gurley and Cam Newton. Will Leonard Fournette’s name be added to that list of NCAA rule breakers?

Sometimes the best intentions can turn sour if you’re not paying attention to any written (and unwritten rules) as Leonard Fournette’s family may soon find out. According to Sports Illustrated on their piece earlier today, it looks like the LSU running back’s family may be in a bit of trouble after the NCAA caught wind of their business interactions between one Paul Pierce and a couple of other associates that saw the Fournette’s family manager making payments towards a website that would profit from their son’s popularity.

Back in 2014, Paul Pierce’s, Fournette’s unofficial family manager, started making payments that amounted to $10,000 to make a website and merchandise to sell. A further $20,000 was injected by other investors up front in hopes that Fournette’s popularity would drive sales.

After the website launched,the NCAA stepped in and asked the website be immediatly taken down as the likeness and image of any athlete cannot be used for profit per NCAA regulations.

Although the products on the website did not use Leonard Fournette’s name or image, the products offered clearly link back to Leonard with his popular catchphrase BUGA (Being United Generates Attitude) being emblazoned on all of the products.

Since then the NCAA and the Southeastern Conference have no records of any communications with Fournette’s family in regards to breaking any rules.

Leonard Fournette is favored to win the Heisman Trophy and LSU faces off against Alabama later this weekend.

It seems nothing will come of these allegations and the world will move on. As far as we’re concerned, there’s really nothing else to comment about. It’s an unfortunate situation for those that invested and most likely Fournette’s career will remain unaffected.