The New York Times bestselling author of War Dogs exposes the inside story of disgraced fraudster turned undercover FBI informant Marty Blazer and the greatest scandal in the history of the NCAA.

When the federal government catches hotshot financial adviser Louis Martin “Marty” Blazer defrauding his NFL-player clients, it’s time to come clean. He has no reasonable defense. What he has is a bigger story to spill to the feds—that of a multibillion-dollar conspiracy that exploits the most talented college athletes and implicates one of the most popular entertainment industries in the nation. The DOJ is listening, and the truth could literally set Marty free. All he has to do is prove that the NCAA is a vast ongoing scam.

Sent undercover by the FBI, Marty infiltrates the innermost circles of college basketball, a high-flying world of Miami clubs, New York luxury suites, and Las Vegas back rooms. Over a period of three years, covertly recording thousands of hours of conversations with coaches from many of the leading college teams, Marty reveals a large-scale epidemic of deception, bribery, and fraud within the NCAA. The stars seem aligned for the operation—if only Marty can keep the FBI itself from blowing the case.

Journalist Guy Lawson digs deep into a true story about the lure of celebrity, sports, wealth, and crime, and the motivations of a man—on both sides of the law—who exploded a land mine of systemic all-American corruption.

Review

“Lawson carefully balances Blazer’s self-aggrandizement with details of his fraudulent activities, and convincingly argues that the case 'held up a mirror to important American institutions…reaping huge profits on the backs of kids playing the sports they love.' This thoroughly reported deep dive impresses.” — Publishers Weekly

“[E]xcellent…[an] evenhanded portrayal of a flawed subject.” — Booklist

“Lawson thoughtfully explores corruption in this excellent book. His evenhanded portrayal of a flawed subject illustrates how Blazer functioned as just one of many operators in an unprincipled environment in which rampant exploitation of youth is enabled.” — Kirkus Reviews

Praise for Guy Lawson

Octopus

“Lawson has found gold…a fantastic story, in both senses of the word, with a freshness that recalls Liar’s Poker.” — The New York Times

“I was riveted by Mr. Lawson’s telling…The story is mind-boggling.” —Andrew Sorkin, The New York Times ( DealBook )

“Lawson’s reporting is prodigious.” — Fortune

“Brings to life one of the most colorful, and often engaging, con men of this or any other century…an entertaining, well-told tale.” — The Washington Times

“Lawson nimbly traverses the labyrinthine depths…a harrowing thrill ride into the unraveling mind of a desperate operator.” — Kirkus Reviews

Arms and the Dudes

“The reporting is incredible.” —MSNBC’s The Cycle

“Guy Lawson has done a miraculous job…a glorious piece of investigative journalism.” — Florida Weekly

“Lawson’s eye for detail and extensive research are commendable.” — Publishers Weekly

From the Publisher

The first time aspiring financial advisor Louis Martin “Marty” Blazer met with an NFL prospect, the young man asked if Marty had any “hot dog money” for him. Instantly understanding, Marty peeled off a few hundreds and laid them in the player’s palm, which jumpstarted Marty’s professional rise, advising professional athletes and moving in the elite circles that surround them. I, for one, could never be that savvy, but from the moment those bills landed in an outstretched hand, I was hooked on this true story of corruption, greed, and an industry-wide reckoning.

Drawing convincing parallels to organized crime, New York Times bestselling journalist Guy Lawson tells the true story of the complex and seedy world surrounding the NCAA through the eyes of Marty Blazer, the unlikely man whose federal fraud indictment led to his undercover work with the FBI and whose testimony continues to drive change in the billion-dollar industry of college sports. Hot Dog Money is both a glittering portrait of the talent and exploitation that drives the American institution of the NCAA and a shocking look inside an FBI investigation.

Get ready for an insider’s view of yachts, Miami clubs, and Vegas hotel rooms where talented athletes’ futures are bought and sold by the very people who should be protecting them. This story is absorbing and full of insight into one of our most celebrated institutions.

—Laura Van der Veer, Editor

About the Author

Guy Lawson is the New York Times bestselling author of War Dogs , which was made into a feature film, as well as The Brotherhoods and Octopus. An award-winning investigative journalist, he has written articles on war, crime, culture, and sports for the New York Times Magazine , Rolling Stone , GQ , Harper’s , and many other publications.