Big Ten asks NCAA to pause tampering inquiries, revamp rules - ESPN

The Big Ten sent a letter to the NCAA this week asking the organization to put a halt to «investigations and infractions proceedings» related to tampering, according to a copy of the letter obtained by ESPN.

The letter states that the «current framework» for tampering rules «cannot be credibly or equitably enforced,» pointing out the rules for tampering were designed before a modern era that includes paying athletes and essentially unlimited transfers.

«These rules were not designed for a world in which student-athletes are compensated market participants making annual decisions with significant economic consequences,» the letter reads. «The collision between the old rules and new reality is producing outcomes that harm the population that the rules were designed to protect.»

The letter comes in the wake of a flurry of recent tampering headlines. That included the NCAA seeking to impose significant penalties against tampering offenders. The case of linebacker Luke Ferrelli, who transferred to Ole Miss after enrolling at Clemson, has also put the issue in the forefront.

The prevalence of tampering in the current landscape is so great that numerous officials told ESPN's Max Olson that it's essentially a competitive disadvantage to not tamper.

«If you're not doing that, you're so far behind in the game,» an SEC general manager told Olson.

The Big Ten's letter lays out why the current rules are antiquated for the modern space, suggests a pause that «does not create a window of impunity» and lays out a vision for building «a framework suited to the world as it actually exists.»

The Big Ten letter states: «We are committed to engaging in an expeditious process to develop a modern framework for contact rules that addresses the