With the news this morning from Yahoo! Sports that Reggie Bush has settled the civil claim against him without ever having to speak under oath regarding illegal benefits he may or may not have received while with the Trojans, the path has now been cleared for the NCAA to wrap-up its investigation into several facets of the Trojans’ athletic programs.
And, according to the Orange County Register, that closure could be coming in very short order.
The Register reports that a ruling from the NCAA could come down as soon as a week or so from today now that the lawsuit has buried the truth under confidentiality agreements been settled. It should also be noted that the Bush imbroglio from 27 years ago is not the only issue that was probed by the NCAA, which the Register did quite well.
The NCAA was hopeful that any statements made during depositions under the threat of perjury would have shed some light on to what extent, if any, the football program/coaching staff knew of the alleged illegal benefits Bush and his family obtained from Lake and Michaels.
Either way, this four-year process seems to be quickly winding to its conclusion.
(On a positive note, this was the first time the word “quickly” was ever associated with the NCAA’s Bush probe.)
Just be prepared for the sound of wrist-slapping emanating from the NCAA’s offices as early as next week, though. You know it’s coming, so you might as well, in the words of the esteemed Bobby Knight, just relax and enjoy it.