Amidst an investigation into whether or not Johnny Manziel improperly gained compensation for autographs, an anonymous broker has stepped forward, ESPN reported.

The prominent eBay autograph broker said Nathan Fitch, a friend and personal assistant of Manziel's, had told him last season the Texas A&M quarterback would no longer sign autographs for free.

ESPN's "Outside the Lines" reported previously about an incident during the BCS National Championship game where Manziel signed numerous items in the home of a broker named Drew Tieman. Sources in the room during the signing session said they watched the QB sign memorabilia but did not witness any exchange of money.

The anonymous broker, according to ESPN's Joe Schad, told of a signing session before Texas A&M's game against Alabama last year. The broker said Manziel signed about 50 items the night before the game and about 200 more a few days later. The broker said he did not pay Manziel for either sessions.

The broker even provided what he called a photo of proof from the Texas A&M team hotel where Manziel signed the items.

The NCAA is investigating the January signing session before the National Championship and the photo the broker provided to ESPN is from a seperate event. The photo was also taken by a separate broker, Schad noted on his Twitter account.

In a July interview with Sports Illustrated, Manziel touched on the November signing session and said the broker put him in an awkward position.

"Alabama game, a guy walks into my hotel room with me," Manziel said. "I opened the door. I had a big bag on my shoulder. I opened the door real wide -- he kind of sticks his foot in the door. He kind of comes in with me. 'Hey man, will you sign this bag of stuff?' Swope is in the bathroom. He walks in and sees me mid-signing this guy's stuff."
The reporter, Andy Staples, asked if Swope, a teammate, had gotten the broker to leave.

"Swope was like, 'Hey, man. What are you doing in here?'" Manziel said. "He said 'Oh, he said he would sign some stuff for me.' I'm like, 'I mean, I didn't really say I would sign it for you. But I'll do it for you. Get the hell out and it won't be too big of a deal.'"

While the November signing session is not related to the NCAA's investigation into the one in January, it could provide a behind-the-curtains look at the rapidly rising star of one of college football's biggest names.

Manziel's family has already set up a corporation, named JMAN2, to protect his future business affairs, including officially trademarking his nicknaming "Johnny Football" for when he leaves the college game.