Yup, the NCAA really screwed the pooch on this one (as far as mess goes).
The rule in question was clearly violated. NCAA bylaws state that any parent or representative of the player who solicits money causes the player to be ineligible. The NCAA's statement today heavily pushed the notion that since the solicitation was done without the player's knowledge it was unfair to punish the player. Not only is this contrary to the written rule, but it's also contrary to pretty much every punishment ever handed out by the NCAA. How many times have college athletes and fans questioned a NCAA ruling because there was no common sense involved and the NCAA fell back on "the letter of the law" as a defense? And this is the issue they decide to do a 180 on? That's not suspicious at all.
This also now creates a plausible deniability defense for runners, boosters, recruiters, and other unsavory types: claim the player had no knowledge of the actions. While the rule was written in such a way as to make players responsible for those that represent them [akin to how member schools are responsible for anyone even remotely associated with the program (Did you buy a ticket in 1964? Then by NCAA rules you are a booster for life and the school is responsible for your actions.)] now pretty much any violation can occur and all the player has to do is say "Didn't know".
The NCAA really fudged this one up bad. The player's dad broke the rules and the bylaws state the player must be held responsible. It may not be fair, but that's the way it is and that's the way the NCAA has adjudicated hundreds (thousands?) of cases before this one. By all appearances they not only are guilty of favoritism but in doing so also opened a Jenna Jameson canyon-sized loophole in their bylaws.
