In America, the winner takes all.

Chapter 272 Upheaval

"Quoting relevant anonymous sources, a complex chain of interests was involved behind last year's Independence Bowl. Alabama used an internal arrangement to evade penalties from the NCAA, and it was controlled by the sister of Roger Sorensen, the president of the University of Alabama. The Alabama Football Development Association is also directly involved in the Independence Bowl organizing committee, which received a huge share of the game last year...

"In addition, according to anonymous sources, Mia Sebastian, the chairperson of the Independence Bowl Organizing Committee, is the mother of Ethan O'Connor, a University of Alabama football player who just won the Heisman Award. .”

"Grace Chandler, vice president of the organizing committee, was the athletic director of Beverly High School in Los Angeles, and her father, John Chandler, is currently the principal of Beverly Hills..."

"This station called the news departments of the University of Alabama and Beverly Hills earlier today. Both parties declined to comment on the matter and said that an internal investigation was ongoing. At o'clock this morning, Tuscaloosa The District Attorney's Office stated that the president of the University of Alabama was involved in more than a dozen charges, and the Los Angeles District Attorney's Office also opened an investigation into Beverly Hills High School. Roy Kramer, president of the Southeastern Conference, said in an interview with the media that this Expressing strong concerns about fraud and considering removing the University of Alabama from the Southeastern Conference..."

"The NCAA spokesperson stated that the University of Alabama and Ethan O'Connor will be personally questioned in accordance with the NCAA Athlete Charter. Based on the conclusions of relevant legal sources, if Ethan O'Connor is confirmed to be involved in the organization of the Independence Bowl, The maximum penalty will be a life ban."

"In terms of the Independence Bowl, the event announcement was issued last night, clearly stating that the preparations of the event organizing committee are fair and just, and that the Independence Bowl will be held as scheduled..."

Grace immediately grabbed the remote control beside the bed and changed to another channel.

Turning his head, he saw Ethan lying on the bed with his eyes closed, seemingly still sleeping soundly.

It would be a lie to say she wasn't afraid, Grace looked worried.

"Ethan, can we weather the coming storm safely?" Grace couldn't help but ask.

Although Ethan has repeatedly said that there is no need to panic and that these investigations are necessary responses to the public, Grace is really afraid that Ethan will go to jail before the child is born.

At this time, Ethan opened his eyes, and Grace immediately threw herself into Ethan's arms.

Ethan caressed Grace's swollen belly.

"All of this is Roy Kramer's trick. At first, he secretly supported Alabama and made it an enemy of the NCAA, including the BCS series, which was a bargaining chip for him to negotiate with the NCAA. Then he changed hands and sold Alabama. , as a gift to the NCAA, and then make a deal with the NCAA in order to become the president of the NCAA in the next vote, this is his overall plan."

"As for President Roger Sorenson and I are just victims of this plan. But Roy probably didn't expect that his plan was not seamless. He ignored one of the most important enemies, the current president of the NCAA, Cedric Temple. West."

The enemy of my enemy is my friend. Ethan had already contacted Cedric Dempsey before, so he sent his daughter to secretly investigate Roy Kramer.

"Grace, in the past few days before the Independence Bowl, the public opinion will be very exciting. These revelations are just the appetizer." Ethan said unhurriedly.

Then Ethan called Katherine and asked about the NCAA class action lawsuit...

"How do you know that the NCAA has indeed agreed to settle?" Catherine only found out the news today.

·

At the same time, in the Southeastern Conference's office in Florida, Roy Kramer was on the phone with the president of the NCAA.

"Cedric, now I have eliminated the cancer that was against the NCAA. As for the punishment, I leave it to you." Roy said.

"I believe that with the example of Alabama, other universities that want to get rid of the NCAA will also have concerns, and your reputation will reach a new peak. I have fulfilled my promise, and now it is your turn to fulfill the promise." Roy Kramer said.

He will lead the Southeastern Conference to fully accept the control of the NCAA, including negotiations for game broadcast rights, which will be left to the NCAA.

Among the five major leagues, the Big12 and Big10 have completely broken up with the NCAA, while the Pac-10 and ACC are on the side of the NCAA.

Originally, the Southeastern Conference also sided with the former, but now that the Southeastern Conference has defected, most of the five major conferences obey the NCAA, and the remaining two will only be forced to agree.

In exchange, Roy Kramer will become a member of the NCAA committee and serve as vice chairman.

In two years, he will be at the pinnacle of NCAA power as he wishes.

"Of course, I have always been generous to my allies." Cedric's tone on the other end of the phone remained calm.

"Regarding the University of Alabama and Roger Sorensen, I suggest that there should be severe penalties. It is best to announce the preliminary plan tomorrow and make it official before the Independence Bowl. At the same time, put pressure on both sides of the game to force the cancellation of this year's Independence Bowl. .As for Ethan O'Connor, I think it is best to be banned for life." Roy said.

He had to do it to the end. He didn't want to give Ethan any chance to counterattack later. The best choice was to completely cut off his career path.

"At present, the NCAA still needs to investigate, and there is no result in a short time. As for the Independence Bowl, Shreveport locals do not want the Independence Bowl to be cancelled. I'm sorry, Roy, I can't agree to your conditions. As for Ethan, still Follow the NCAA's athletes' bylaws." Cedric did not nod.

The NCAA has the right to interpret the bylaws. Ethan's punishment may be inevitable, but the decision on how to punish him and how severe the punishment should be lies with the NCAA.

After hanging up the phone, Roy's lips curved into a smile.

Finally, the long-term layout has paid off.

Next he will take the most solid step.

At this time, Kramer Jr. called from his son who was studying for a doctorate at the University of Kentucky. He mentioned that someone from the school was investigating his mentor.

"It should be just other things that have nothing to do with you." Roy Kramer thought for a while and then said.

"Is your mother okay?" Roy asked next.

"She's fine, and...it's nothing." Little Kramer didn't say much.

Roy Kramer left the office early today, returned home, changed his clothes, shaved, and went out.

When passing by the flower shop, Roy got out of the car and was going to buy a bouquet of flowers.

"I'm going to give it to my ex-wife, maybe a rose is not appropriate." Compared with the strategizing in the office, Roy Kramer showed a friendly side at this time and looked like an ordinary old man. I’m obviously not very good at what flowers to buy.

"In that case, why not buy a bouquet of lilies? It symbolizes purity, tenderness, and harmony, and expresses your gratitude to your ex-wife?" the clerk tried to suggest.

"Just do it."

Kramer took the carefully wrapped flowers to the bank where his ex-wife worked. The car was parked opposite the bank, waiting for his wife to get off work.

Kramer held up the flowers on the passenger seat and smelled the faint fragrance. Kramer adjusted his tie again in the rearview mirror of the car.

He planned to tell his ex-wife the good news as soon as possible. If ideal, he might be able to get back together with his ex-wife. About fifteen minutes later, Roy Kramer saw his wife walking out of the bank.

She was wearing a black coat and high heels, and she was dressed very delicately.

Still as beautiful as before!

Roy Kramer calmed down and got out of the car, and was about to walk towards his ex-wife. Suddenly an expensive Mercedes-Benz commercial vehicle stopped in front of his ex-wife, and a man about the same age as Roy Kramer got out of the car. The latter got out of the car. car and opened the door for Roy's ex-wife.

Roy saw that his ex-wife did not get in the car immediately, but kissed the man face to face. The two behaved very intimately.

In an instant, the ex-wife seemed to be aware of someone's attention, raised her head and looked towards Roy.

Roy immediately turned around, got directly into the car, then quickly started the car, drove out of several intersections, suddenly braked, then reversed, and threw the bouquet of flowers into the trash can.

Roy looked at the rearview mirror again.

"You are really a clown at your age." He said indifferently, looking at the person in the mirror.

·

Early the next morning, Roy Kramer returned home from his morning run and turned on the radio as a habit.

I originally wanted to hear the progress of the University of Alabama scandal, but unexpectedly heard information related to me.

"Compared to the University of Alabama at the center of the storm, this morning the NCAA disclosed the progress of an investigation into current SEC Chairman, Roy Cramer. NCAA Disciplinary Committee Director Rose Dempsey in the investigation against the University of Kentucky and the University of Arkansas During a routine investigation, it was unexpectedly discovered that when the two universities entered the SEC alliance in the early s, they had a series of exchanges of interests with SEC Chairman Roy Cramer. In return for joining the SEC, the University of Kentucky agreed to Roy Cramer's His son entered the University of Kentucky for further study, and through academic fraud and forgery, helped Roy Kramer's son obtain a master's degree. Roy Kramer is currently studying for a doctorate at the University of Kentucky and has been receiving a full scholarship for several years... "

"boom!"

The porcelain cup in Roy Kramer's hand fell to the ground and suddenly shattered, spilling white milk.

FUCK!

Roy picked up the radio and threw it roughly to the ground.

I actually encountered betrayal!

Roy Kramer looked furious at this time.

I began to think about the layout of this period of time in my mind. What is the problem?

He sat slumped in the chair, and his ex-wife whom he met yesterday came to mind again.

Maybe it's time to end it.

In the empty house, Roy Kramer burst out laughing.

·

"I did help Grace in the name of a friend and provided some advice, but I never profited from the Independence Bowl game. In fact, the profits of the Independence Bowl Organizing Committee have always been retained by the organizing committee. In the foundation, this is one of the supporting evidence. As for the anonymous revelation, it is a complete slander, and the other party did not provide any convincing evidence at all."

Facing the camera, Ethan said slowly.

Next to Ethan was Principal Roger Sorensen. The two of them were interviewed by reporters in an unofficial capacity.

Only two media were present. They were ESPN and FOX Sports respectively, and the reporters interviewed were also from Ethan, Penny Weber and Michelle Besner.

"In other words, you yourself were not involved. So how did your mother, as a Hollywood screenwriter, have no experience in preparing for sports events, get into the organizing committee of the Independence Bowl?" Penny asked. logic problem.

"My mother and Grace had known each other since I was a student at BHHS, and the two subsequently established a deep friendship. We needed funds to prepare for the Independence Bowl, and my mother was able to provide help in this regard. This is what happened." Sen explained.

"You performed well as a rugby player when you were at BHHS, and your mother coordinated with the school as a representative. Is that what you meant?" Michelle asked.

"Yes, that's it." Ethan nodded.

Rather than asking questions, the two reporters were delivering words to Ethan. According to Ethan's logic, they weaved a brand new story step by step.

In this version of the story, Ethan is completely out of the picture.

Next, the two turned their attention to the principal.

Compared to Ethan, Principal Roger Sorensen also admitted some of the facts.

"In fact, including Alabama's past recruiting violations, Roy Kramer has always been aware of and maintained a tacit attitude. I have a recording of the call with Roy Kramer. In the recording, he instructed me to let me play this year." To continue to be involved in the preparations for the Independence Bowl, in fact, he took the initiative last year."

"Do you have a recording of the call? Can you show it to us?" Penny asked.

"Of course." Roger Sorensen said immediately.

Although unauthorized recordings will not be admitted into evidence, they can be released to the media.

This recording, coupled with the scandal exposed by Rose, and the tacit understanding the NCAA secretly maintained with Ethan, made it impossible for Roy Kramer to turn around and chose to resign voluntarily after the scandal was exposed.

As for Principal Roger Sorenson, as an accomplice, he was of course not exempt from punishment. In the subsequent Alabama announcement, he was deprived of his position as principal and completely kicked out of the education system.

It seems like a heavy loss, but in fact the NCAA has promised that he will become Roy Kramer's successor to take charge of the Southeastern Conference, on the condition that the Southeastern Conference will firmly stand on the side of the NCAA in the future.

After the whole incident, the NCAA reunited the increasingly divided college football. Roger Sorenson was demoted and promoted, and Ethan was not affected at all.

It is even said that he is the biggest beneficiary.

Just the day after Kramer resigned, the NCAA announced that it would settle out of court with the plaintiffs in the class action lawsuit. The specific amount of compensation was unknown. At the same time, the NCAA announced that it would abolish the restrictions on athletes’ names, likenesses, and signatures in the athlete charter. And before the start of the new season, it will work with various universities to establish a complete business cooperation system and strengthen the protection of the rights and interests of college athletes. In fact, it is still a revenue-generating strategy that has changed the law.

And Ethan was finally able to openly establish contact with various players and sign agency contracts with other athletes, including Tom Brady, the Manning brothers, Charles Woodson and many other outstanding players. He immediately contacted Lisa's agent The company signed the contract.

The prototype of Ethan's business map emerged, and what followed was this year's Independence Bowl...

(End of this chapter)