Here's everything we know about the Adidas marketing exec at the center of the college basketball bribery scandal
Youtube/DraftExpress
One of the biggest questions: Who is Jim Gatto, the Adidas executive arrested following the FBI's investigation?
Gatto is at the center of one of the schemes alleged by the FBI, according to the complaint. The bureau alleges Gatto used Adidas money to pay high school students and their families up to six-figure sums to go to Adidas-affiliated colleges, and then sign agreements with Adidas when they got into the NBA. The FBI alleges Gatto conspired with coaches to do so. The complaint claims payments were disguised on the company's books and paid through management companies.
Gatto serves as Adidas' director of global sports marketing for basketball. According to his LinkedIn, Gatto worked for Adidas since 1993 - a total of 24 years. If his profile page is up to date, Adidas has been Gatto's only employer since graduating college with a bachelor's degree in marketing from Elmira College in 1992.
Gatto also helped found the Adidas Nations basketball tournament back in 2014, according to Bleacher Report. The event is an opportunity for high school and international students to play in front of college scouts and coaches, setting the stage for recruitment opportunities.
Gatto was the top Adidas executive arrested on Tuesday as part of the FBI and DOJ's investigation.
"Today, we became aware that federal investigators arrested an Adidas employee," an Adidas representative told Business Insider in an email. "We are learning more about the situation. We're unaware of any misconduct and will fully cooperate with authorities to understand more."
The government did not name Adidas, as the company itself is not being charged. Gatto had his phone wiretapped by the FBI as part of the investigation.
- I got a $40K raise using this 30-second strategy. It made me realize loud work, not hard work, always wins.
- Qatar Airways' new CEO explains why it's sticking with the Airbus A380 as other airlines retire the costly superjumbo
- Prince Harry and Meghan found out about Kate Middleton's cancer diagnosis on TV like everyone else, report says
- Kia India looks to expand sales, service network to 700 touchpoints by year-end
- Shapoorji Pallonji’s Afcons Infra files DRHP for ₹7,000 crore IPO
- Water crisis affects businesses across Bengaluru; Is there room for cautious optimism?
- BenQ Zowie EC2-CW review – Premium wireless mouse for gamers
- Banks' GNPAs set to improve further to 2.1 pc by FY25: Care Ratings