Did Nebraska Perform Some Sleight of Hand to Get T-Magic?

The Los Angeles Times reported yesterday that the father of University of Nebraska quarterback Taylor Martinez signed a contract that entitles the university to a 10 percent royalty on products from his apparel company that bear the Huskers’ logo. At issue is whether the business agreement, struck prior to his son’s recruitment, violated NCAA rules.

NCAA Should Stop Digging Its Ohio State Hole

Most of us have heard the old adage, “When you’re in a hole, you should stop digging.” Recent comments by NCAA officials in response to criticism of their decision to delay the suspensions of six Ohio State players, thereby allowing them to play in the upcoming Sugar Bowl, strongly indicates that the NCAA would prefer to keep digging.

Nebraska’s Offensive Coordinator Most Likely Gone

The Lincoln Journal Star reported yesterday that Shawn Watson, the University of Nebraska’s offensive coordinator, appears to be one of the front-runners for the head coaching position at Miami of Ohio. Despite Watson’s reluctance to address the issue, our analysis suggests that he has already accepted the position and is merely waiting until after the Huskers’ Holiday Bowl appearance Thursday night to confirm the move.

Was Spikes Using an ADHD Treatment to Mask Use of Other Banned Drugs?

Earlier this month it was widely reported that New England Patriots rookie linebacker Brandon Spikes was suspended for the rest of the regular season for testing positive for a banned substance, a drug to treat Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. While Spikes readily admitted to a “mistake” in using a banned substance, his behavior indicates that there is more to the story.

Should Goodell Suspend Perrish Cox Following Sexual Assault Charges?

It has been a couple of weeks since the NFL learned of the arrest of Denver Broncos rookie cornerback Perrish Cox, and the filing of criminal charges against Cox for sexual assault stemming from allegations dating back to October. Our analysis of the case suggests that Cox did indeed engage in the behavior for which he is being charged, which leads us to wonder why NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has taken no action in the case.

Should We Have Faith in Wang’s Claim That He Won’t Sell the Islanders?

In a live satellite radio interview last night, New York Islanders owner Charles Wang claimed that, despite the financial and performance challenges the Islanders are confronting, he will not put the team up for sale. But given allegations by the board of directors at his former company regarding Wang's prior veracity problems, combined with ongoing financial issues in his dealings outside of the Islanders, we feel no Islander fan should have high confidence that the team will stay in New York.

With Ohio State Suspensions, NCAA Again Demonstrates Misguided Priorities

The NCAA’s suspension of six players on The Ohio State University football team for selling uniform apparel, championship rings and trophies was an appropriate punishment, given the seriousness of the players’ transgressions. What’s entirely inappropriate is the fact that the suspensions will have no impact until after the team has played in the upcoming Allstate Sugar Bowl.

It’s Not Personal, Rex – It’s Public

The behavior of New York Jets head coach Rex Ryan in response to a Deadspin.com report that his wife posted a foot-fetish video on the Internet, possibly taken by Ryan, is relatively easy to analyze. If the report had no merit at all, it would have been a simple matter for Ryan to deny it, rather than leave the public wondering when the other shoe will drop.

Out of the Big House and Back in the Dog House—Michael Vick Wants a Dog

A lot of debate has been generated by media reports that Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick wants to once again own a dog. While it’s clear that Vick has made an extraordinary comeback on the football field since his release from prison in 2009, we would argue that it’s far too soon to suggest that his turnaround on and off the field serves as any indication that an animal would be safe in his care.

Kansas State Player Suspensions May Have Damaged Coach Martin

When Kansas State basketball coach Frank Martin lost his temper at the press conference following his team’s loss to UNLV last night, what sent him over the edge was reporters’ interest in the impact of the absence of two key players who had been suspended by the NCAA shortly before the game. Although Martin was ostensibly coming to the defense of his players, our analysis indicates that he was more interested in defending himself.

NCAA’s Sanctions Against UNC Likely to Hinge on Head Coach

The University of North Carolina’s football program was hit hard this season by an NCAA investigation that began over the summer and continues today. Tar Heel fans have two key questions about the investigation: What will be the extent of the sanctions levied as a result? And will Butch Davis survive as head coach?

Did Goodell Give Favre Preferential Treatment in Sexual Misconduct Case?

Since allegations surfaced on Oct. 7 that Minnesota Vikings quarterback Brett Favre sent inappropriate text messages and photos to a female game hostess and sideline reporter during his stint with the New York Jets in 2008, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell has steadfastly refused to be held to a timetable in his investigation of the matter. That refusal now appears to have been a foot-dragging measure to avoid having to discipline Favre while he was still playing.

Giants’ Deon Grant Mans Up with the Unvarnished Truth

In sports, as in life, sometimes the truth is most visible, and perhaps most beautiful, when an individual simply steps up and accepts responsibility for his or her actions. When New York Giants rookie punter Matt Dodge failed to punt the ball out of bounds and away from speedster DeSean Jackson in yesterday’s game against the Philadelphia Eagles, the stage was set for just such an occasion.

It’s Time to Ask: Will McNabb Retire After This Season?

Last week’s media coverage of Donovan McNabb’s fall from grace as the Redskins’ quarterback makes it clear that he won’t be in a Redskins uniform next year. But our analysis of statements made by McNabb’s teammates and by his agent indicates that the question that needs to be asked at this point is whether McNabb will return in any NFL uniform next year.

NFL Lockout: An Encouraging Sign

In an Op-Ed in Friday’s Washington Post, Mark Murphy, former Washington Redskin’s kicker and now president of the Green Bay Packers, expressed confidence that a “common-sense approach” will lead to ”an agreement that works for players, teams and fans.” It is encouraging that our analysis of Murphy’s comments found no signs of deception.

Defensive Tackle Haynesworth On The Attack: A Case Study of Deception

Washington Redskins defensive tackle Albert Haynesworth’s recent suspension by Coach Mike Shanahan has created widespread speculation about Haynesworth’s behavior, particularly with respect to reports that when he arrived at practice on Dec. 3, he was hung over. Haynesworth’s behavior in responding to them suggests to us that those reports are accurate, and it provides an opportunity for us to briefly explain a portion of our deception detection methodology.

Attention Turns to NFL Lockout Next Year

This NFL season has been so exciting that many diehard football fans haven’t really thought much about the prospects for a lockout next year. Now, as both the players and the owners dial up the heat and rhetoric, this issue will gradually take center stage.

No, Sepp -- This Has Everything to Do with Money

As much as we’re disinclined to pick on FIFA President Sepp Blatter, it’s impossible to ignore the comments he made at a press conference in South Africa yesterday. His outrageous remarks directed at gays aside, Blatter’s continued focus on attempts to justify the selection of Russia and Qatar to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup events is becoming increasingly absurd.

FIFA's Blatter: Still in Attack Mode

At a ceremony yesterday in Bahrain to inaugurate the Bahrain Football Association’s Goal Project Three, FIFA President Sepp Blatter continued his verbal attacks on those who remain critical of FIFA’s selections to host the 2018 and 2022 World Cup tournaments. That Blatter would choose to incorporate these attacks into such an event suggests he’s on the offensive in his fight to silence his critics.

At Least Sal Alosi Isn’t a Weasel

After committing acts of wrongdoing, people often make an exhaustive attempt to cover up their culpability. Even in the face of irrefutable evidence, guilty individuals not uncommonly take a position or make statements that border on the preposterous in a last-ditch effort to convince others of their innocence. It’s gratifying that New York Jets strength and conditioning coach Sal Alosi didn’t fall into that trap.

FIFA Heading for Own Goal as Sepp Tells Brits to Back Off?

In the aftermath of FIFA’s selection of Qatar to host the 2022 World Cup, FIFA President Sepp Blatter has gone on the offensive in an unusually aggressive manner, bashing any and all who express their displeasure or disappointment with the selection process. We see Blatter’s reaction -- or, more appropriately, his overreaction -- as a tripwire that sounds the behavioral alarm, and strongly suggests that a closer look at Blatter’s remarks is warranted.

Urban Legends: Speculation About Meyer Resigning for Reasons Other Than Family Is Unfounded

There is a great deal of speculation swirling in the media about the “real” reasons behind Urban Meyer’s resignation from his position as the head coach of the Florida Gators. We can say with very high confidence that Meyer resigned for precisely the reason he cited: his earnest desire to spend more time with this family.

Why Blatter's War of Words with England is Unsurprising

We at Sports Intelligence Analysts aren’t surprised by what has now become a full-scale war of words between Sepp Blatter and the English Football Association (see news reports here and here). As we reported to some of our private clients prior to the World Cup announcement, our behavioral analysis of Blatter determined that there is more to this story that will unfold in the coming weeks and months, and that more questions need to be asked. Here’s what we reported:

More on the Ostrich: Why the NCAA's Head is in the Sand

In our previous post, we noted that the NCAA has chosen to put its head in the sand in the Cam Newton case, and it’s important to understand why it has taken that tack. Reinstating Newton was in the best interests of Auburn University, the SEC and the NCAA. It reserved their options for more serious findings, and possibly punishment, later – after a potential financial windfall for the school, the conference, and college football in general.

Cam and the Ostrich

Since virtually every entity associated with college sports has a mascot, we think the NCAA deserves one as well. Many believe that the longer the Cam Newton “pay for play” story continues to percolate in the news, the more appropriate it would be for the NCAA to adopt the ostrich as its mascot.