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Texas A&M quarterback Johnny Manziel allegedly accepted $7,500 as payment for signing approximately 300 mini- and full-sized football helmets, according to an autograph broker who spoke with ESPN.
The broker, based out of the East Coast, reportedly played two cell phone videos for ESPN, showing the Heisman Trophy winner signing the helmets in his New Haven, Conn., hotel room while attending the Walter Camp Football Foundation event in January. The video does not show Manziel accepting any money, according to the report.
According to the report, the broker originally requested money for the videos, which ESPN refused to pay. The broker did allow ESPN’s Joe Schad to view the videos, which totaled nine minutes in length.
On the videos, which the broker said were recorded without Manziel’s knowledge, the quarterback can be heard saying "you never did a signing with me" and threatening not to do business with the broker in the future if he were to tell anyone about their arrangement.
Also caught on the video is audio of another broker asking Manziel if he would accept additional cash for signing more items, an offer the quarterback declined.
Manziel wanted the money in order to buy new rims for his car, according to the broker.
Tuesday’s report comes on the heels of a separate ESPN report on Sunday alleging that Manziel accepted thousands of dollars for signing memorabilia earlier this year.
The Sunday report cited three sources that claimed Manziel signed "photographs, footballs, mini football helmets and other items" at the request of a broker named Drew Tieman. Tieman allegedly approached Manziel on Jan. 6, when Manziel arrived in the Miami area to attend the BCS title game.
It was after the meeting, the report said, when Manziel allegedly went to Tieman's residence and "signed hundreds of items in the main room of the apartment despite the fact that there were many people in the room."
The witnesses, according to the report, say they saw Manziel sign the products but did not see money exchange hands.
If the NCAA determines that Manziel financially profited off his autograph, it can find him in violation of NCAA rules and potentially suspend him for part or all of the coming season.
