NCAA Announces Sanctions for Sign-Stealing Scandal at Michigan, Which Plans to Appeal

The NCAA Committee on Infractions announced Friday sanctions against the University of Michigan regarding the scouting and assorted recruiting violations within the 2023 football program — all of which drew national headlines as the Connor Stalions sign-stealing scandal.

As outlined on Michigans athletic website goblue.com, penalties include:

• Public reprimand and censure

• Four years of added probation

• Financial penalties that include an institutional fine of $50,000 plus 10% of Michigan's budget for the football program to the NCAA, a fine equivalent to anticipated loss of postseason revenue sharing during the 2025 and 2026 football seasons, and a fine equivalent to the cost of 10% of all football scholarships for the 2025-26 season

• A 25% reduction in football official visits during the 2025-26 season

• A 14-week prohibition on recruiting communications in the football program during the four-year probation period

• A two-year show-cause order against head coach Sherrone Moore, during which he is suspended from a total of three games. Michigan self-imposed a two-game suspension for Moore during the upcoming 2025-26 football season. The panel added an additional game which is the opener to the 2026-27 season. Moore is not prohibited from engaging in coaching or other athletically related activities during the show-cause period.

In total, according to CBS Sports, the mostly financial penalties could top $30 million.

In response, the university released the following statement:

"We appreciate the work of the Committee on Infractions. But, respectfully, in a number of instances the decision makes fundamental errors in interpreting NCAA bylaws; and it includes a number of conclusions that are directly contrary to the evidence — or lack of evidence — in the record. We will appeal this decision to ensure a fair result, and we will consider all other options."

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel added: "It is never our intent to be in a position where we are accused of any rules violations. I fully support Coach Sherrone Moore, our student-athletes and staff as they prepare for the season ahead. I appreciate Coach Moore's continued commitment to ensuring his program operates in compliance with applicable rules. I acknowledge the Committee on Infractions' decision to not penalize our current student-athletes by eliminating postseason opportunities; however, a postseason ban should never have been a consideration in this case. I fully support the university's decision to pursue an appeal. Coach Moore and I will not have any further comment."

The announcement at goblue.com then offers comment from Moore, which reads: "I am glad that this part of the process has been completed. I greatly respect the rules governing collegiate athletics and it is my intent to have our program comply with those rules at all times. I will continue to focus my attention on our team and the upcoming 2025 season."

Jim Harbaugh, head coach at the time of the scandal, drew the NCAA's scorn. As reported by mlive.com, the association's 74-page report described a disdain and lack of respect for compliance. NCAA officials used interviews with several individuals in and close to the program to paint a picture of a lack of oversight and control of the program, prompting further penalties for Michigan football and a 10-year show-cause order for Harbaugh.

"On paper, that sounds dramatic. In reality? It's nothing but window dressing," wrote Tom Fornelli for CBS Sports. "The chances of a 61-year-old Harbaugh returning to college after delivering a national title to his alma mater were about as slim as your 15-leg parlay hitting.

"And speaking of empty gestures, there's also an eight-year show-cause for Conor Stalions, the sign-stealing mastermind himself. Maybe he can start a consulting firm in the meantime, or write another manifesto."

“Harbaugh and his program had a contentious relationship with Michigan’s compliance office, leading coaches and staff members to act, at times, with disregard for the rules,” the NCAA Committee on Infractions wrote. “Compliance efforts were a one-way street.”

“In her interview, the chief compliance officer also stated that she was ‘perceived as a thorn in [Harbaugh’s] side,’ ” the NCAA report reads.