Football ring seller courts controversy

An eBay auction of a 10 carat gold college football ring has been terminated early by a mystery seller after bidding topped $7,000. The Texas athletic department is said to be investigating whether the seller was a player, who would be in breach of NCAA rules by attempting to cash in on the ring.

In reply to several emails from newspapers asking if the eBay seller identified online as 'meb32182' was a football player, the respondent repeatedly denied that he was.

The seller said that he had obtained the ring, along with another listed piece of football jewellery under auction, the white gold Texas 2003 Holiday Bowl ring, directly from a former player.

No clue as to the identity of the player was given in the listing. His name and position, engraved on the ring, were concealed on photographs of the article. The design shows it was awarded to the Texas Longhorns only two months ago for winning the college football national title.

Although the seller expected the rings to command a high price, and offered an option to buy the 2006 ring instantly for $20,000, the rings themselves cost $350 apiece wholesale.

The Texas athletic authority is thought to be looking into the auctions further. If the seller is still a player with eligibility, he would be acting against NCAA rules to procure an 'extra benefit' by selling the rings.

If it turns out that a former player is connected with the sales, however, there is probably nothing that the NCAA can do to prevent sales and huge profit returns of similar jewellery.