Eli Manning might be in some hot water. The New York Post brings word that the veteran New York Giants quarterback has been accused of falsifying game-worn items for the memorabilia circuit and the evidence could be damning. Both player and organization were named in a civil racketeering suit back in 2014 and Manning’s involvement now has the following detail associated with it.
The two-time Super Bowl MVP, who has a contract with memorabilia dealer Steiner Sports, instructed a team manager to get the bogus equipment so it could be sold off as authentic, the papers say.
“2 helmets that can pass as game used. That is it. Eli,” Manning wrote to equipment manager Joe Skiba from a BlackBerry on April 27, 2010, according to the documents.
Less than 20 minutes later, Manning wrote to his marketing agent, Alan Zucker, who requested the helmets, saying: “Should be able to get them for tomorrow.”
The piece goes on to reference additional e-mails between Manning and Skiba that could be even more incriminating for the Super Bowl quarterback, including the fact that Manning was a participant because he “didnt want to give up the real stuff” and the tidbit that the Giants did not keep internal e-mails that could provide more background. Until further details emerge, we are left to go on what the Post has dug up in this case but, regardless, it is a (very) bad look for Manning and the Giants organization.
Fans of Tom Brady and the New England Patriots will quickly jump to conclusions with regard to how the NFL will treat this issue but, until the legal fallout (if any) arrives, it is going to be tough to draw firm conclusions.
