Naughty Promoting

It looks like a little overzealous promoting by some South Bend media have stirred up the powers that be at Notre Dame –- and, perhaps, the NCAA.

First, South Bend TV station WSBT used images of football and basketball players to promote its local sports talk shows. School officials investigated and turned in a report to the NCAA. No sanctions followed, but Notre Dame officials told the media not to do it again because it could result in sanctions.

Then, the South Bend Tribune produced posters with images of current Irish student-athletes that were to be sold in the South Bend area. This, too, was an apparent violation of NCAA rules and could result in sanctions for Notre Dame.

Both times, by the way, the university was unaware of the promotion and did not give permission.

As you might imagine, this did not please Irish officials. They have just sent out notice via the school’s Athletic Compliance Office that if any future action results in a violation of any NCAA bylaws, the offending media outlet will have its credentials revoked indefinitely. Basically, any use of a photograph from a game or practice, or a photograph of any athlete, without university consent, is not permitted. No calendars, no cups, no shirts, no DVDs, nothing.

And now you know.