A Tuscaloosa booster whom Alabama disassociated from the program two years ago for selling merchandise autographed by players continues to sell items featuring current players, according to the college football website Outkick the Coverage.
Tom al-Betar runs the T-Town Gallery store in Tuscaloosa that now exclusively focuses on Alabama memorabilia, according to the website. OTC said al-Betar's store includes game-worn gear with autographs by 11 current Alabama players, including stars T.J. Yeldon and Amari Cooper. The Facebook page for al-Betar's store also features pictures of him posing with outgoing quarterback AJ McCarron and other Alabama players.
NCAA rules prohibit athletes from receiving compensation in exchange for autographs. The NCAA also prohibit athletes from allowing products with their names and likenesses from being sold even if the athletes don’t profit.
The NCAA sanctioned Ohio State in the wake of 2010 revelations that players traded autographs for tattoos.
An ESPN report last summer alleged that Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel signed 4,400 items for brokers. The NCAA and school investigated before saying they could find no evidence that Manziel was paid for autographs. Manziel missed one half of his team’s season-opener for violating the rule against allowing his autograph to be sold by others.
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