Jim Tressel was the coach for The Ohio State football program since 2001.  He brought them their first national championship in 34 years, one year into his tenure and held an unbelievable record of 106-22 during his tenure.  Translation; big money for the school, NCAA, television, etc. 

In December, five Ohio State players were found to have received cash and discounted tattoos.  However, all were permitted by the NCAA to play in the Buckeye's 31-26 victory over Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl, with their suspensions to begin with the first game of the 2011 season.  Translation; big money for the school, NCAA, television, etc.

Now that the money was in the bank the sports writers needed something to write about.  Who really cares about the Stanley Cup finals or the lame NBA Finals match-up?  Football is king in the US and scandal and football is even better! 

Sure Mr. Tressel took risks and was guilty of violations and received a suspension and fine.  That was enough for the school and the NCAA...but not for the media (who are more likely Michigan fans) who need salacious stories to sell.  This pressure gave the school no choice but to fire Mr. Tressel. 

This got me thinking...with big business and big money and the pressures surrounding both, are these risks necessary to compete or can one work in a purity vacuum?  Can a premier sports team, business, government or any organized operation effectively compete without taking risks that could damage or topple the aforementioned should the ramifications of those risks become public?