Star running back of my Fantasy Football team and New Orleans Saint, Reggie Bush is in some hot water. Not quite Michael Vick territory yet but he and his family have been sued by the co-founder of a strugling sports marketing agency, New Era Sports & Entertainment, for failure to pay back benefits received while Bush was playing for the University of Southern California.

Doesn’t sound like a big deal at first, HOWEVER the company’s co-founder Lloyd Lake has agreed to meet with NCAA investigators this week to discuss Bush’s relationship with his company. You see the thing is its a MAJOR violation for any student-athlete to receive benefits of any kind while enrolled in an NCAA school. Since New Era isn’t subject to specific sanctions by the NCAA and is struggling anyway Lake is not only gaining notoriety for his company by taking the actions but he’s punishing bush for non payment. This is what we’d call DIRTY POOL.

According to the court filing, from Nov. 2004 through Jan. 2006, Bush and his family received cash, a vehicle a home as well as a job. It was expected that in addition to repaying some of the benefits, Bush “choose” to be represented by New Era when he declared for the NFL draft. Since Bush was a far lesser known NFL prospect at the time of the agreement than he was on draft day, Bush chose to work with a more experienced agent leaving New Era high and dry. I guess you do dirt, get dirt Reggie.

This is where the NCAA is messed up however, If it is determined that the Bush family received extra benefits, Bush’s actions would prompt USC to forfeit games from the 2004 and 2005 seasons including its latest national championship. Although his legacy will likely be tarnished, this doesn’t hurt Bush personally. He would likely however be forced to give back his 2005 Heisman Trophy because all winners must be in compliance with the bylaws defining an NCAA student-athlete.

There have been a lot of rumors floating about Bush receiving extra benefits for a while now so this isn’t a surprise. I think more than anything it brings to light the NCAA injustices that sanctions never effect departed coaches, former players or the agents who initiate the violations. Instead the incoming student-athletes are effected the most because of the loss of scholarship opportunities or post-season restrictions. Its time for a new system.