Brian Bowen court filings complicate U of L's infractions case with NCAA

s-ram · May 5, 2021

Brian Bowen court filings complicate U of L's infractions case with NCAA

Tim Sullivan
Louisville Courier Journal

The University of Louisville’s position is that nobody knew.

The school insists the bribery scheme preceding former basketball recruit Brian Bowen’s enrollment was all Adidas’ doing and should not be held against the school that stood to benefit from his five-star talents.

But depositions and documents filed in Bowen’s lawsuit against the shoe company could undermine that argument in U of L’s infractions case with the NCAA’s Independent Accountability Resolution Process.

At best, it now seems naïve.

If you don't remember, Bowen II, the McDonald’s All-American who was the highest-profile prospect in Rick Pitino’s final recruiting class at Louisville, was prevented from playing college basketball amid allegations arising from an FBI probe that his signing was induced by a promise of $100,000, in violation of NCAA rules.

Bowen's father, Brian Bowen Sr., admitted to taking bribes but maintained his son did not know about the scheme.

In November 2018, Bowen II sued Adidas and six associates: Adidas employees James Gatto and Chris Rivers, consultants T.J. Gassnolla and Merl Code, aspiring agent Christian Dawkins and financial adviser Munish Sood.

Adidas responded in a motion filed on Feb. 6, 2019, in the U.S. District Court of South Carolina, arguing the company was not responsible for the actions of the other defendants and writing, "His father’s conduct while acting on his behalf puts Bowen at equal fault with the defendants."

Aspiring agent Christian Dawkins and U of L assistant coach Kenny Johnson exchanged 23 text messages on May 30, 2017, regarding Bowen’s recruitment, and both men felt the need to contact Adidas that same day on that same subject.

In one three-minute span, Dawkins told Johnson he needed to talk to Adidas when he was away from the Bowen family “and we should be good,” and Johnson then texted Adidas’ Chris Rivers with an update on Bowen’s recruiting trip.

“We had a great visit with Brian Bowen,” Johnson said. “Couldn’t have went better. Hope to get it done asap.”

Bowen’s signing was announced three days later.