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Tom speaks to CBS.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 6:32 pm
Posted on 1/16/14 at 6:32 pm
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Bama booster: No worries over Tide memorabilia
by Jeremy Fowler | College Football Insider
January 17, 2014 12:22 AM ET
A disassociated Alabama booster says theres nothing to worry about over a report he has broken NCAA rules by selling memorabilia signed by top Crimson Tide players.
Tom Al-Betar told CBSSports.com on Thursday he obtains memorabilia from fans via the schools fan day and former players who visit his store after graduation.
I have everything from the former players, Al-Betar said.
Outkickthecoverage.com reported Al-Betars new business, T-Town Gallery, is selling, among several items, autographed jerseys of current players T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper.
Photos from the Facebook page of Al-Betars T-Town Menswear business in Tuscaloosa show several pictures of junior safety Vinnie Sunseri signing autographs in the store. The photos were posted Jan. 12. An ESPN report surfaced the same day that Sunseri was declaring for the NFL Draft. The page also includes pictures of senior quarterback A.J. McCarron with girlfriend Katherine Webb.
Al-Betar, who received a disassociation letter from Alabama in March 2011 after displaying extensive Alabama football memorabilia in his T-Town store and taking pictures with players, said in a brief interview that fans from Alabamas Fan Day come in with stuff.
They dont belong to no football players, Al-Betar said. They sign it over there and they will come here. Most every year they do the same thing.
When asked whether the volume of pictures suggests eligible players were involved, he said, Hell No! and asked what pictures CBSSports.com was referencing. He was directed to the contents of the Outkickthecoverage.com post and the Facebook page.
When people graduate they [sign], Al-Betar said. When they are in school nobodys in here.
Al-Betar added, This is ridiculous. There is nothing to worry about, before wishing a good day and hanging up.
Bama booster: No worries over Tide memorabilia
by Jeremy Fowler | College Football Insider
January 17, 2014 12:22 AM ET
A disassociated Alabama booster says theres nothing to worry about over a report he has broken NCAA rules by selling memorabilia signed by top Crimson Tide players.
Tom Al-Betar told CBSSports.com on Thursday he obtains memorabilia from fans via the schools fan day and former players who visit his store after graduation.
I have everything from the former players, Al-Betar said.
Outkickthecoverage.com reported Al-Betars new business, T-Town Gallery, is selling, among several items, autographed jerseys of current players T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper.
Photos from the Facebook page of Al-Betars T-Town Menswear business in Tuscaloosa show several pictures of junior safety Vinnie Sunseri signing autographs in the store. The photos were posted Jan. 12. An ESPN report surfaced the same day that Sunseri was declaring for the NFL Draft. The page also includes pictures of senior quarterback A.J. McCarron with girlfriend Katherine Webb.
Al-Betar, who received a disassociation letter from Alabama in March 2011 after displaying extensive Alabama football memorabilia in his T-Town store and taking pictures with players, said in a brief interview that fans from Alabamas Fan Day come in with stuff.
They dont belong to no football players, Al-Betar said. They sign it over there and they will come here. Most every year they do the same thing.
When asked whether the volume of pictures suggests eligible players were involved, he said, Hell No! and asked what pictures CBSSports.com was referencing. He was directed to the contents of the Outkickthecoverage.com post and the Facebook page.
When people graduate they [sign], Al-Betar said. When they are in school nobodys in here.
Al-Betar added, This is ridiculous. There is nothing to worry about, before wishing a good day and hanging up.
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Posted on 1/16/14 at 6:34 pm to allin2010
Perfect excuse. Case closed imho.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 6:35 pm to allin2010
Congrats on winning the SEC and playing for a national championship.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 6:43 pm to Old Hellen Yeller
quote:
Perfect excuse. Case closed imho.
This post was edited on 1/16/14 at 6:44 pm
Posted on 1/16/14 at 6:57 pm to allin2010
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:17 pm to allin2010
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:41 pm to GooseSix
that guy may single handedly bring down the bama program
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:43 pm to GooseSix
If you go to his store at the University Mall, you would see tons of items signed by current players. He is real proud of them too, based on the prices he has listed for them.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:43 pm to HailToTheChiz
quote:
that guy may single handedly bring down the bama program
how
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:44 pm to Irons Puppet
quote:
If you go to his store at the University Mall, you would see tons of items signed by current players. He is real proud of them too, based on the prices he has listed for them.
Why dont you do something about it Mr. Sheriff?
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:46 pm to allin2010
You would fit in much better with the clowns at ITAT. Please go there and chill with the LBS; it is quite unbecoming.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:47 pm to HailToTheChiz
Au booster needs to offer him some cash like jelks. 
Could you imagine if ole Tom started singing? Bama would be so fricked. Bye bye to sabans titles.
Could you imagine if ole Tom started singing? Bama would be so fricked. Bye bye to sabans titles.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:48 pm to Irons Puppet
I've been by the store and he doesn't have stuffed signed by current players. The closest he comes to anything questionable is having unsigned jerseys of some current players with their name showing on the back. If you look carefully at all the pictures of him with Alabama players displayed in the store you'll notice they are current NFL players from Bama and players that recently finished their eligibility.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:51 pm to Govt Tide
You are wrong. Go back to the original story and you will see date stamped photos of Trent Richardson. In the store. Signing jerseys. Before he declared.
I image Travis will note that in a new blog post tomorrow now that tom started yappin.
I image Travis will note that in a new blog post tomorrow now that tom started yappin.
This post was edited on 1/16/14 at 7:52 pm
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:52 pm to Govt Tide
quote:
I've been by the store and he doesn't have stuffed signed by current players. The closest he comes to anything questionable is having unsigned jerseys of some current players with their name showing on the back. If you look carefully at all the pictures of him with Alabama players displayed in the store you'll notice they are current NFL players from Bama and players that recently finished their eligibility.
In August he had an entire aisle with signed TJ Yeldon and AJ items. I have seen similar items at most Malls in Alabama, so I am sure there is a loophole somewhere.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:54 pm to Irons Puppet
quote:
so I am sure there is a loophole somewhere.
What is illegal about Albatar selling stuff signed by current players?
Posted on 1/16/14 at 7:58 pm to Funky Tide 8
It is the ole without their knowledge thing.
It is an ncaa violation for a player to allow the use of their likeness, including signed stuff, to promote any establishment. As advertising, for profit and the like. Only the ncaa is allowed to do so.
It is an ncaa violation for a player to allow the use of their likeness, including signed stuff, to promote any establishment. As advertising, for profit and the like. Only the ncaa is allowed to do so.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 8:00 pm to Funky Tide 8
quote:
What is illegal about Albatar selling stuff signed by current players?
The big issue is he was selling game worn items signed by current players (ie A. Cooper). Technically those items are owned by the University and can not be sold (See A.J Green).
Posted on 1/16/14 at 8:02 pm to Tiger n Miami AU83
quote:Anybody know what SEC title Auburn and Kentucky share?...Hint: it has something to do with probations.
It is the ole without their knowledge thing. It is an ncaa violation for a player to allow the use of their likeness, including signed stuff, to promote any establishment. As advertising, for profit and the like. Only the ncaa is allowed to do so.
Posted on 1/16/14 at 8:03 pm to Irons Puppet
No, the specific bylaw is an athlete cannot permit the use of their name for commercial profit. That includes autographs and pictures. I remember that from the first go round.
Bamas defense is none of the players have any idea the stuff will be used to promote ole toms business or sold at a profit by a commercial enterprise.
Bamas defense is none of the players have any idea the stuff will be used to promote ole toms business or sold at a profit by a commercial enterprise.
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