Florida Sports Newsmakers in 2011
These people were exceptionally notable during the past year.
NEVIN SHAPIRO
Ponzi schemer, Miami
 [Photo: AP] |
Fumble at UM
Lesson learned from Ponzi schemer and University of Miami booster Nevin Shapiro: Evidently, it will take more than money and prostitutes to make UM a top 10 program again.
Say this for Shapiro, currently serving 20 years for a nearly $1-billion Ponzi scheme: He got UM back on the tip of every tongue with his confessional to Yahoo! Sports. From 2002 to 2010 he bestowed millions of dollars in cars, gifts, money and hookers on UM players. He had them covered whether they wanted jewelry, travel, to dine out, ride his yacht, hit nightclubs and strip joints or, on one occasion, pay for an abortion.
As of early December, the NCAA hadn't announced what it would do to UM. Amid scandals at Penn State, Ohio State and elsewhere, authorities pronounced themselves disturbed and promised to study what's ailing college sports. Meanwhile, UM decided not to go to a bowl game even though it was eligible, an act of contrition to the NCAA.
— Mike Vogel
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