Michigan Football Hit with $30M Fine for Sign-Stealing Scandal, Harbaugh Faces 10-Year Ban
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The University of Michigan football team is facing a significant financial blow after the NCAA handed down a fine of over $30 million due to a sign-stealing scandal. Athletic Director Warde Manuel revealed the hefty penalty in a recent radio interview, stating that the school will find a way to absorb the costs. The NCAA had initially announced punishments for the scandal in August, citing 'overwhelming' evidence of a cover-up by Wolverines staff. The governing body had considered a multi-year postseason ban but decided against it, opting for a two-year suspension for Coach Sherrone Moore instead. Moore will also miss the 2026 season-opener. Former head coach Jim Harbaugh, a Michigan alumnus and current NFL coach, received a 10-year show-cause order, which will be effective until 2028. Meanwhile, Connor Stalions, the former staffer behind the sign-stealing operation, was handed an eight-year ban from college athletics. The NCAA does not prohibit sign-stealing per se, but it does ban schools from using electronic equipment to record opponents' signals. The elaborate scheme run by Stalions was deemed a serious infraction, leading to the significant fine and punishments for key individuals involved. The Michigan Wolverines, currently ranked 15th, will face top-ranked Ohio State on Saturday, but the team's focus will likely be on addressing the fallout from the scandal.
