SEC facing off-field troubles before media days

Troubling events have made headlines in the two weeks leading up to the three-day SEC event that begins Wednesday. There was a bar brawl involving Tennessee players and there are potential NCAA troubles brewing at Florida and South Carolina. The latest, and potentially biggest, issue arose with a report Monday that Florida and the NCAA are investigating an allegation that former offensive lineman Maurkice Pouncey got $100,000 from a representative of a sports agent before last season ended. The NCAA is also looking into a possible rules violation involving South Carolina tight end Weslye Saunders. SEC commissioner Mike Slive declined to discuss specific issues involving Florida and South Carolina, but said in an interview Monday with The Associated Press that he would like the NCAA at some point to consider changes to rules involving agents. “The agent issue is one that’s been of concern not only to us but I think to everyone associated with intercollegiate athletics and I do think it’s time to re-examine some of the NCAA rules that relate to agents,” he said. “I have felt for a long time that it would be helpful to be able to provide student-athletes with more information and more opportunities to learn what their professional potential might be than is currently allowed by NCAA rules.”

Florida coach Urban Meyer, and Pouncey’s brother, Mike, are scheduled to appear at media day on Wednesday afternoon.