How Rebel Rags could help Ole Miss avoid hefty NCAA penalties
The officially-licensed merchandise provider that allegedly played a part in getting Ole Miss into their recruiting violations mess might now play a big part in helping the football program avoid further penalties.
Rebel Rags is a retail fan gear store in Oxford, Mississippi which is probably a dream land for Ole Miss football fans. That dream was tainted somewhat recently, as the NCAA investigation into football recruiting violations at Mississippi implicated the store. A lawsuit filed on Friday by Rebel Rags could actually be a huge factor in determining the severity of the penalties Ole Miss football ends up with, ironically enough.
According to the NCAA’s investigation, prospective recruits for the Rebels claim they were given nearly $3,000 worth of merchandise supplied by Rebel Rags. Antonio Morales of the Oxford Clarion-Ledger reports that in response to those allegations, Rebel Rags has filed a defamation suit against the NCAA’s sources.
Akin to the defense Mississippi is mounting itself, the lawsuit claims there’s no evidence to support the claims of the defendants named in the suit, Leo Lewis, Kobe Jones and Lindsey Miller. The Rebels’ response to the NCAA allegations actually refers to purchase records from Rebel Rags, and it’s likely the defamation suit brought by Rebel Rags could call upon the same documents as evidence.
This is a civil suit and a matter completely separate from the Rebels’ football program with the NCAA. The matter will be decided by the Lafayette County Circuit Court. Ole Miss football’s “day in court” is with an NCAA committee. Nonetheless, the lawsuit could affect the NCAA’s decision.
One of the points the suit makes is that the credibility of the NCAA’s sources is questionable, given the fact two of them play for Mississippi’s in-state SEC rival, Mississippi State. Additionally, it discredits the testimony of the students because in the course of the investigation, no parties were allowed to cross-examine the witnesses on the behalf of any of the parties implicated. That includes Rebel Rags.
If the case proceeds and subpoenas are served to the defendants, counsel for Rebel Rags would get that opportunity to cross-examine the people who made the allegations not only against Rebel Rags, but Ole Miss football as well. If that results in the testimonies of the events being thoroughly discredited, that would weaken the NCAA’s case against the Rebels for imposing harsh penalties. Most of their evidence would have been made worthless.
Next: SEC Programs Ranked By Statistical Greatness
The main issue now is the timing of the procession of the case in regards to the NCAA hearing on the allegations involving Ole Miss. In order for the Rebel Rags suit to have any effect on the NCAA hearing, most of the litigation will have to precede the NCAA committee meeting. Mississippi will have to hope that the Lafayette County Circuit Court operates faster than the NCAA.