In letter, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti says Michigan penalties should end: Report
The Big Ten confirmed to The Athletic that Petitti provided a letter to the NCAA, as he was unable to attend the hearing in person. The league did not comment on the contents of the letter, but it is standard practice for conference commissioners to appear at infractions hearings in support of league members facing discipline.
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In the case of Petitti and Michigan, the history matters. The Big Ten learned in 2023 that Michigan was subject to an NCAA investigation for the actions of former staffer Connor Stalions, who was accused of orchestrating a scheme to acquire video footage of opponents' signals. In the midst of the NCAA investigation, Petitti suspended Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh for the final three regular-season games of the 2023 season for violations of the league's sportsmanship policy.
The suspension placated other Big Ten programs furious about the sign-stealing allegations and infuriated Michigan. The school briefly attempted to challenge the suspension in court, and athletic director Warde Manuel called the Big Ten's decision 'unethical' and 'insulting.' The bad blood led to an awkward scene after Michigan won the Big Ten championship game, with Harbaugh standing at a distance as Petitti awarded the championship trophy to Michigan's players. The Wolverines went on to beat Alabama and Washington in the College Football Playoff to complete their perfect season.
The Big Ten and Michigan are ready to put their differences in the past and move on from the Stalions affair. The NCAA, however, has the final say. The NCAA issued a notice of allegations charging Michigan with six Level I violations, the most severe in the NCAA's penalty structure, and coach Sherrone Moore faces a Level II charge for deleting text messages he exchanged with Stalions before the investigation became public. Michigan proposed suspending Moore for Michigan's Week 3 game against Central Michigan and its Week 4 game at Nebraska as punishment, though it's unclear if the NCAA will accept those terms.
Petitti's swift action against Michigan in 2023 was influenced by the length of the NCAA infractions process, which often drags out over multiple years. Relevant parties, including Stalions, appeared at a two-day infractions hearing in June, and a ruling is expected before the start of the 2025 season. The NCAA is considering a range of possible penalties, though NCAA president Charlie Baker said Michigan won the national championship 'fair and square' after the Wolverines beat Washington in the CFP championship game.
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