Lawyers for a former Adidas executive who is a defendant at a college basketball corruption trial zeroed in Monday on communications between a recruiting fixer and Kansas coach Bill Self.
On cross-examination in federal court in Manhattan, a key government witness, ex-Adidas consultant Thomas "T.J." Gassnola, was shown texts he exchanged with Self.
The communications occurred amid what prosecutors say was a scheme by Gassnola and three defendants to funnel payments to families of top-flight prospects to steer them toward programs sponsored by Adidas. Gassnola has testified they kept coaching staffs in the dark about the payments; the defense has sought to show otherwise.
In the texts last year, Gassnola told Self he was in touch with the guardian of Jayhawks recruit Silvio De Sousa. Prosecutors say De Sousa was among recruits whose families were offered payments of up to $100,000 financed by Adidas.
Self responded: "We good." Gassnola said: "Always. That was light work. The ball is in his court now."
That same day, Gassnola asked Self to call him when he was alone, and records show they later had a 5-minute, 6-second call. Gassnola said he didn't remember what the call was about.
Broadcasting
Johnny Miller to retire
Johnny Miller is retiring as the lead golf analyst for NBC Sports after three decades of giving viewers unfiltered views.
Miller, 70, said he will sign off on Feb. 3 at the Phoenix Open. He chose the event because he played some of his best golf in Arizona and earned the nickname "Desert Fox." He started with NBC at the Bob Hope Desert Classic in 1990 and has done 21 majors and 14 Ryder Cups.
