On Friday, the NFL Player's Association suspended agent Gary Wichard after it was learned that his involvement with ex-UNC player Marvin Austin violated regulations. Yahoo! Sports' Charles Robinson reports:
The NFLPA is suspending agent Gary Wichard for nine months for his improper involvement with UNC's Marvin Austin. Effective immediately.
[...] Source says NFLPA determined Wichard had improper involvement with Austin. Documentation showed improper involvement.
The suspension is only the latest bit of fallout from the NCAA's investigation of UNC. In October, Austin, a defensive tackle, was permanently dismissed from the team. Robinson also reports that both UNC and the NCAA aided the NFLPA's investigative efforts.
The ramifications of Wichard's suspension are sure to cause a ripple effect. As Pro Football Talk notes, Wichard also represents the NFL's Terrell Suggs, Dwight Freeney, C.J. Spiller, and Jason Taylor; furthermore, a suspension of nine months means that he'll be out of the picture for the 2011 draft.
Minutes ago, the NFLPA issued a press release regarding Wichard's suspension:
CARD COMMITTEE SUSPENDS CONTRACT ADVISOR WICHARD’S CERTIFICATION
The NFLPA’s Committee on Agent Regulation and Discipline (CARD) has suspended the Certification of NFLPA Contract Advisor Gary Wichard for a period of nine months, beginning on Dec. 1, 2010, for having impermissible communication with University of North Carolina player Marvin Austin at a time Austin was not eligible for the NFL Draft under the NFL/NFLPA Collective Bargaining Agreement. The NFLPA Regulations prohibit agents from communicating with college players before they become draft-eligible. Wichard has agreed to the nine-month suspension and has therefore waived his right to appeal.
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