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Manti Te’o Signed With Agent Last Week, Can Now Accept Money for Interviews

We’re not necessarily implying this information is related to the ongoing hoax, but it sure is quite a coincidence.

One of the overlooked items from Wednesday night’s press conference at Notre Dame — handled by athletic director Jack Swarbrick — was that Manti Te’o‘s media availability is no longer handled by the university. Te’o, in fact, signed with talent agency CAA last week, Notre Dame announced, and all interview requests now go through them.

But Te’o's newfound professional status also allows him to accept money for being interviewed. Earlier Thursday a reported interview of Te’o on ESPN fell through, and the linebacker is still yet to give his side of the story.

ESPN generally does not pay for interviews. But, for the record, Oprah Winfrey — who’s set to air a much-anticipated interview with Lance Armstrong on Thursday — is willing to shell out cash to guests.