The University of Michigan now knows its punishment related to the Connor Stalions sign-stealing saga, as the NCAA released its report on Friday, Aug. 15.
The biggest punishment relates to the program itself, which will now be under a four-year probationary period and have to pay a $50,000 fine, plus 10% of the program’s budget — and potentially millions more based on some postseason math.
Coach Sherrone Moore, who will already serve a two-game suspension in 2025 as a self-imposed punishment by the University, is also suspended for a third game to take place in the 2026 season.
What did Michigan football do?
Michigan football, then under the leadership of coach Jim Harbaugh, is accused of running a complicated sign-stealing operation orchestrated by former staffer Connor Stalions.
Stealing signs is an accepted practice in college football, but much like the Houston Astros’ sign-stealing scandal, the accusation is that Michigan went much further beyond what is allowed.
Stalions allegedly sent tickets to a network of friends and associates who would take videos of the sideline of future opponents and possible future opponents to give the Wolverines an advantage in knowing the other team’s signs.
In addition, Stalions is accused of going on the Central Michigan sideline in a disguise for a game at Spartan Stadium against Michigan State to advance scout the Spartans.
Michigan punishment from sign-stealing scandal
The NCAA announced the U-M would receive a $50,000 fine and have to pay a fine equivalent to 10% of the budget for the football program.
U-M will also pay a fine associated with the loss of postseason revenue from the 2025 and 2026 seasons. Some reports list that as at least a $20 million fine, though that figure is still to be determined.
The last financial penalty is a fine equivalent to 10% of the scholarships Michigan awarded for the 2025 season.
Even at U-M Athletics’ revenue scale, $20-$25 million is real money. But the department – if it doesn’t have reserves from which to pull this money – could easily borrow it and amortize it over many years, making it not that difficult to carry.
U-M projected to have a budget of $266.3 million for its athletic department on June 13, but the percentage of the budget allocated for the football program has not been reported.
The program will also receive a 25% reduction in official football visits during the 2025 season and a 14-week prohibition on recruiting communications during the four-year probation period. The program avoided a postseason ban.
Connor Stalions punishment
As part of the NCAA’s ruling, Stalions will receive an eight-year show cause order, which restricts him from participating in “athletically-related activities” with the NCAA during the period.
Jim Harbaugh punishment
Harbaugh received a 10-year show-cause order beginning on Aug. 7, 2028, restricting him from “athletically-related activities” during the period. Harbaugh is currently serving another four-year show-cause order that expires in 2028.
Harbaugh is currently the coach of the NFL’s Los Angeles Chargers.
Sherrone Moore punishment
As part of the NCAA’s ruling, Moore will receive a two-year show-cause order, though he will not be barred from coaching during the two-year window outside of his suspension.
Moore, who will already serve a two-game suspension in 2025 as part of Michigan’s self-imposed sanctions, will be suspended for a third game to be served at the beginning of the 2026 season.
Barring any significant changes to the 2026 schedule, that game is expected to be Michigan’s game against Western Michigan at Deutsche Bank Park in Frankfurt, Germany, which will be the program’s first game outside of North America.
Denard Robinson punishment
Robinson, a former star quarterback and recruiting coordinator with Michigan, will receive a three-year show-cause order, restricting him from “all athletically-related activity” during the period.
You can reach Christian at cromo@freepress.com
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan football sign-stealing scandal: Every NCAA punishment and fine handed down
Reporting by Christian Romo, Detroit Free Press / Detroit Free Press
USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect
