Congressman compares NCAA to Mafia
WASHINGTON - A Democratic congressman is comparing the NCAA to the Mafia over how it controls the lives of student athletes.
The congressman, Bobby Rush of Illinois, made the accusations at a congressional forum on college sports called to look at the impact of "back-room deals, payoffs and scandals" in college sports.
Says Rush: "I think you would compare the NCAA to Al Capone and to the Mafia."
Rush spoke after hearing from a couple of mothers of student athletes who complained of ill treatment by schools after their sons suffered injuries.
The NCAA didn't immediately respond to an email seeking comment.