Hot Dog Money. Guy Lawson.

Hot Dog Money.   Guy Lawson.

Inside the Biggest Scandal in the History of College Sports. 

There is no shortage of scandals or scandalous behavior in college sports these days.    So, the story for this book, Hot Dog Money, may not seem unusual for the times.    However, when the epic involves a financial planner, fraud, FBI and NCAA, the entire ordeal takes on a different tone altogether.  

Guy Lawson is the author that brings this under the radar story to life.    The main character is Marty Blazer, a Pittsburgh-based financial planner, who in essence tells the story to the author through his own account of what happened to him throughout the entire experience and arrangement. Lawson, the esteemed author, pieces together a sordid story that takes place over nearly a decade’s time.  

 The story gets interesting rather quickly in the book.    Lawson explains how Blazer got into the athlete business upon an initial career of financial planning for the public.    Blazer seems to have a knack for relating to young athletes and obviously had the skill or talent to offer them and help enhance their financial portfolio’s.    It seemingly was an easy transition.    Perhaps, as the book alludes, it came too easy and even elicited addictive behaviors.   Lawson explains that attracting young talent takes more than just a good financial plan but also a lot of upfront money that athletes can sample immediately.    There is risk in doing this, however, as some potential clients will gladly take the money but may not necessarily reciprocate the initial offer when it comes time to hire a representative.     Through his own hard work and grit Blazer makes it work and starts embracing a “living large” lifestyle and developing a reputation as the “man”.   Lawson later reporting that this was a trait he very much coveted and even craved. 

The book takes an even more intriguing turn when Blazer discusses the scandal of his own doing.    As Blazer reports, embezzlement and fraud of clients (professional football players) money.   Eventually the act caught up to him and ultimately led to an apprehension by the federal government.    The financial planner, in attempt to delay or avoid conviction and jail time, proposes an idea to the United States Attorney general that could lead to a big pay day for the federal government.   Lawson reports that Blazer suddenly becomes an informant to the feds and starts working, without much choice, for the FBI having to be available to roam the country, with limited notice, to assist the team of agents now suddenly forced upon him.  

Lawson, the author of several books including War Dogs, transcribes Blazer’s account of the story as one who quickly became an integral part of the investigation.    The story takes the form of a mystery or even a thriller, leaving the reader to wonder what was going to happen next and how it ends.   Throughout the investigation Lawson writes about a troubled man doing a lot of soul searching and hoping, possibly against hope, that he would somehow avoid a lengthy jail sentence all the while keeping as much as possible from his immediate family.  

Ultimately, the saga does come to an end.   The FBI decides to go with what they have, despite Blazer wanting to take the sting to another level and bring forth their findings to court.   At this point Blazer now becomes a leading witness for the federal government.   Often when illegalities such as bribery take place, punishments are doled out by the arm of the law.   Some prominent assistant college basketball coaches received jail sentences along with a few representatives of shoe apparel companies that somehow got mixed up in the turn of events.

Lawson asserts two interesting products that occur during the investigation.  The first is a cautionary tale of how intoxicating and addictive the lifestyle of a high roller can be for certain personalities.    The way Blazer tells the story through Lawson is that the FBI spared very little in expense during the sting operation including expensive props such as high-end hotels, rooms filled with unlimited food and alcohol, fancy vehicles and even a visit to a yacht.   According to Blazer and Lawson’s understanding, the agents’ behavior may have pushed the limits and created a bit of ruckus during one episode of the investigation causing the removal of at least two special agents from the team during the operation.    Not only that, but Blazer also often thought that several agents on the team were not very well equipped for this type of investigation.   

The other interesting note was the fact that Blazer willingly met with a panel of NCAA agents post investigation.   According to what the author reports, the NCAA administrators listened intently with little follow up or dialogue added to what the FBI’s lead witness conveyed during an all-day meeting.   In other words, while the infractions and illegalities were taking place, right under the NCAA’s collective noses, the organization showed little contrition regarding the matter at all.  

This three hundred- and fifteen-page opus is an easy read and filled with intrigue and interesting dialogues with plenty of assorted personalities.   The author clearly chose a good yarn that was worth telling and printing.    At times the details of this chronicle could be overwhelming, but Lawson skillfully tied it together in a way that conveyed the most important details essential to this almost surreal but very true tale.   Although the account is primarily focused on the business of athletes, one does NOT have to be a sports fan to appreciate this epic tale of yet another scandalous story involving college athletes and the unscrupulous underbelly of the business side.   

·       You might like to read this book if you are a college football or basketball fan.  

·       You might like to read this book if you seek stories about corrupt practices pertaining to the NCAA.

·       You might like to read this book if you enjoy stories about bribery and fraud.

·       You might like to read this book if you covet stories about the morals and ethics of college sports. 

 

Read more about the author online at https://www.guylawson.com/