The NCAA on Friday announced a series of sanctions against Michigan stemming from the football team’s infamous sign-stealing scandal, and most people had the same reaction to the news.
The NCAA has announced that a Division I Committee on Infractions panel found “overwhelming evidence” of an illegal scouting scheme at Michigan that was orchestrated by former staffer Connor Stalions. Several penalties were handed down, including a three-game suspension for head coach Sherrone Moore, which added one game to the two-game suspension Michigan already self-imposed for Moore. The additional suspension will be served during the 2026 season.
Michigan has also received several fines that are expected to amount to roughly $30 million. The fines include the loss of Michigan’s anticipated portion of postseason football revenue for 2025 and 2026.
In addition, the NCAA handed down several show-cause orders, including a 10-year show-cause for Jim Harbaugh and an eight-year show-cause for Stalions. Denard Robinson, who was the assistant director of player personnel for Michigan from 2022-2024, received a three-year show-cause order. Moore was hit with a two-year show cause.
With Michigan receiving no postseason ban or reduction of scholarships, the overwhelming consensus is that the sanctions amount to a slap on the wrist.
— McNeil (@Reflog_18) August 15, 2025
They literally have a billionaire booster. How does this do anything?
— Roy Jossfolk Jr. (@royjossfolk) August 15, 2025
So nothing lol
— Austin 🦆 (@deviousduck_) August 15, 2025
This “punishment” makes no sense. If they cheated, this is a slap on the wrist and will not dissuade others from doing the same. If they didn’t cheat, why the $20MM fine?
— Rob Blackburn (@TennBuckNut) August 15, 2025
A slap on the wrist to the golden boys, what else is new?
— Jason Kandel (@TheJasonKandel) August 15, 2025
That’s barely a slap on the wrist
— Big Dudes in the Trenches (@BDTFootball) August 15, 2025
There's zero reason why everyone else shouldn't cheat then. How many schools would be willing to pay $20 million for a title?
— BuddyPalChiefBigGuy (@RedJohn5150) August 15, 2025
Michigan won a national championship the same season the sign-stealing scandal erupted. Harbaugh then left to become the head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers, and he may never coach in college again, anyway.
A school with the financial resources that Michigan has can afford $30 million in fines without being bothered. If the illegal scouting operation helped the Wolverines win, the $30 million is an extremely small price to pay for a season that ended with a title.
