Report: Michigan assistant bought tickets to 30 Big Ten games over three seasons, filmed sideline

Over the last week, reports began to leak that Michigan was sending staffers to other Big Ten schools to watch games and steal signs. Now, Pete Thamel is reporting that rival Big Ten schools have uncovered evidence of such activity by the Wolverines.

Particularly, the investigation centers around UM staffer Connor Stalions, who has already been suspended by the University. Thamel says Stalions purchased tickets in his own name and attended games that did not involved the Wolverines.

“Connor Stalions, the suspended Michigan staffer at the center of the NCAA’s sign-stealing probe, purchased tickets in his own name for more than 30 games over the last three years at 11 different Big Ten schools, sources at 11 different league schools told ESPN.”

Thamel added that not only was Stalions buying tickets for these games, but the person in one of his seats was apparently recorded by stadium surveillance and was seen filming a team’s sideline for the entire game.

“The NCAA is expected to receive video evidence this week of illegal technology used in scouting tied to tickets purchased by Stalions, according to sources. An opposing Big Ten school looked up in-stadium surveillance video from a game earlier this year, and sources said the person in the seat of the ticket purchased by Stalions held his smart phone up and appeared to film the home team’s sideline the entire game.”

Furthermore, Pete Thamel says ESPN confirmed that Stalions had already purchased tickets on opposite sides of the field for the Penn State game at Ohio State. However, those seats suspiciously remained empty this past Saturday, just after initial news of the sign-stealing scandal came out.

“Sources confirmed to ESPN that Stalions purchased tickets on both sides of the stadium — across from each bench — for Ohio State’s game with Penn State on Saturday. Michigan plays both teams in upcoming weeks. According to sources, the tickets purchased by Stalions were not used on Saturday. Stalions’ name emerged publicly in an ESPN story on Friday.”