Nike’s grassroots basketball division Elite Youth Basketball League is now involved in the FBI investigation into the bribery and corruption inside college basketball recruiting, per a report from Forbes contributor and attorney Darren Heitner.
EYBL has been served with a subpoena by New York federal prosecutors and the FBI to delve into the dark dealings of college basketball such as bribing high school players and their families, Forbes reported.
Nike has not commented on the report of a subpoena as of Thursday.
Nike spokesman Greg Rossiter released a statement to Bloomberg on Tuesday after the FBI’s initial investigation was announced.
“Nike believes in fair and ethical play — both in business and sports and strongly opposes any form of manipulation,” Rossiter said, according to Bloomberg.
The FBI's New York office and the U.S. Attorney's office for the Southern District of New York also declined to comment on the reported subpoena to Nike’s EYBL.
Ten men, including four NCAA basketball coaches and one Adidas executive, were arrested earlier in the week with news of the FBI’s initial report.
Three of the four assistant coaches who were arrested in connection with the FBI investigation are from Nike sponsored universities— Tony Bland of Southern California, Lamont Evans of Oklahoma State and Emmanuel Richardson of Arizona.
Auburn, home of assistant coach Chuck Person and the fourth coach arrested in connection to bribing college recruits, is an Under Armour school.
Under Armour is not currently involved with the FBI’s investigation.
On Wednesday, Louisville basketball coach Rick Pitino and atheltic director Tom Jurich were placed on unpaid and paid administrative leave, respectively, in connection to the FBI investigation. Pitino was said to be "essentially fired," according to Pitino's attorney Steve Pence on Wednesday.
CBS News reported on Thursday morning Pitino was identified as “Coach-2” in the federal complaint.
On Wednesday evening, Alabama announced director of basketball operations Kobie Baker resigned after the school conducted an internal investigation following the initial federal report released.
Alabama athletic director Greg Byrne released a statement that Baker did not resign because of any NCAA or SEC rules violations.
