Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti weighs in on upcoming Netflix documentary on Michigan sign-stealing scandal, Connor Stalions
Netfllix recently announced it will be releasing a documentary on the Michigan sign-stealing scandal that prominently featured staffer Connor Stalions.
On Tuesday, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti chimed in on the documentary, which could obviously paint the conference in a negative light.
“I’m not surprised, given the attention that this garnered last winter, that someone would want to take a deeper dive into it,” Petitti said simply, according to Yahoo! Sports’ Ross Dellenger.
The story drew intense national interest during the 2023 season, as Michigan worked around various allegations and had to battle the distractions throughout a championship-winning season.
The allegations centered around the illegal scouting of upcoming opponents via an elaborate series of contacts who reportedly attended games in person and filmed opposing sidelines. Connor Stalions was investigated by the NCAA after multiple reports of his involvement emerged.
Stalions allegedly bought tickets to four different campus games of four College Football Playoff contenders the previous season.
Prior to Stalions’ resignation, coaches and and athletic directors from across the Big Ten went to Pettiti urging him to discipline Michigan for the ugly scandal. Shortly afterwards, Stalions wound up out of a job.
The last time Connor Stalions made public comments of major consequence, he was giving a statement alongside his resignation. He issued a few words and wasn’t bitter over the way his time with the Wolverines had come to an end:
“I love the University of Michigan and its football program and I am extremely grateful for the opportunity I’ve had to work with the incredible student athletes, Coach (Jim) Harbaugh and the other coaches that have been a part of the Michigan football family during my tenure. I do not want to be a distraction from what I hope to be a championship run for the team, and I will continue to cheer them on.”
The documentary, which is part of the Untold series on Netflix was promoted on social media with thhe following tag line: “Sign Stealer (Aug 27): Connor Stalions shares his side of Michigan’s alleged sign-stealing scheme that turned him into a viral villain.”
The Untold series has featured various college football stories in the past, including the rise and fall of Johnny Manziel (Johnny Football), and the heyday of the Florida football program from 2005-09 (Swamp Kings) and the mysterious story of Manti Te’o‘s online girlfriend (The Girlfriend Who Didn’t Exist).
On3’s Alex Weber also contributed to this story.