HBO: Auburn had chances to comment on report

Published Mar. 31, 2011 5:00 p.m. ET

foxsports

HBO says Auburn athletic officials chose not to comment for a report in which four former players said they were paid thousands of dollars during their recruitment or college careers.

HBO spokesman Ray Stallone released a statement Thursday, a day after Tigers coach Gene Chizik said he wasn't contacted ahead of Wednesday night's episode of ''Real Sports with Bryant Gumbel'' and called the report ''pure garbage.''

Stallone said producers called the sports information department and ''read to them in detail'' allegations made by Stanley McClover, Chaz Ramsey, Troy Reddick and Raven Gray.

Three of the players said they received multiple payments from unidentified Auburn supporters. Gray was injured and never played for Auburn but said he received from $2,500 to $3,000 during his recruitment.