SOUTHEASTERN CONFERENCE Bowden may have violated deal made at Auburn

He signed an agreement that he knew of no violations while he was coach.
AUBURN, Ala. (AP) -- Terry Bowden might have violated an agreement with Auburn when he said on tape in 2001 that football players were being paid when he arrived as coach.
The agreement Bowden signed with Auburn on May 17, 2002, stated he knew of no violations at Auburn while he was head coach during 1993-98 and that he agreed to repay $620,000 to Auburn if he made such accusations, in public or private.
The Associated Press obtained a copy of the agreement Monday. It was the last of three pacts between Auburn and Bowden.
In the first agreement, in 1999, Bowden promised not to say anything negative about Auburn. In a reworking of the agreement in 2000, that clause was removed. But in last year's agreement, which The Huntsville Times reported Sunday, a similar clause was reinstated.
May have to refund salary
Under that agreement, Bowden said he knew of no unreported NCAA violations during his term and would "immediately refund and return to Auburn" the $620,000 if he made any comments that were "inconsistent with or contrary to these representations."
Bowden, speaking on a tape that was recorded in 2001, said boosters were funneling thousands of dollars to football players when he became coach in 1993. The Tigers were on probation when he took over, and Bowden said he eventually stopped the payments.
Former athletic director Mike Lude and four Auburn professors also have said Bowden told them in 2001 of a pay-for-play scheme by boosters and Auburn football staff when he became coach. Lude, who served at Auburn during 1992-94, said Bowden first spoke of it to him in 1999.
Bowden's reported comments in 2001 were made prior to the final agreement last year, and Auburn spokesman John Hachtel said Monday he had not heard any discussion of the university seeking its money back.
"I haven't heard any plans about that at all," Hachtel said.
Bowden, an ABC Sports commentator, said on TV he could not comment on the pay-for-play reports because of his agreement with Auburn. He has not returned calls to his Orlando home by The Associated Press.
Taped conversation
A spokesman for ABC said Bowden's taped conversation with Opelika-Auburn News columnist Paul Davis in 2001 was off the record. Davis has said Bowden sent an e-mail encouraging publication of his comments.
The 2002 agreement was signed by Auburn President William Walker and general counsel Lee Armstrong as well as Bowden and his wife, Shyrl, and two witnesses.
Auburn has issued a statement stating that Bowden certified to the NCAA each year during 1993-1998 that he was unaware of any unreported violations of NCAA rules.