Why Are NCAA Recruiting Violations a Crime–Let Alone a Federal One?

When I first heard the University of Louisville basketball program was involved in some recruiting scandal, I was shocked-shocked!-because an ethical cloud hangs around its coach Rick Pitino like Pig-Pen of Peanuts fame. Then I heard that the FBI had been investigating multiple schools for similar violations and I thought two things: I'm again shocked-shocked!-that shamateurism prevails in the NCAA, and why does any law enforcement agency care? Here's what allegedly happened: An executive at sportswear manufacturer Adidas named James Gatto funneled significant sums of money to high school basketball players who then committed to Louisville.