Laettner’s Magazine Deal May Be Violation

Duke basketball star Christian Laettner might have violated NCAA rules if he signed a contract with GQ magazine to keep a season-long diary to be published later this year, as a North Carolina newspaper reported.

The Winston-Salem Journal reported that Laettner’s agreement last August with GQ might have been a violation, because the NCAA prohibits athletes from making agreements for professional services or promoting a product while still in school.

However, Laettner and the university “categorically deny” that Laettner signed a contract.

Although Laettner has used up his college eligibility, the NCAA could impose retroactive penalties and subject Duke to sanctions ranging from a letter of reprimand to forfeiture of all games, including the 1992 NCAA championship.

The university’s statement said Duke contacted the Atlantic Coast Conference and the NCAA for a ruling on Laettner and “was given an interpretation which did not prohibit Laettner from preparing a diary for future post-eligibility publication.”