Report: NCAA, local authorities investigating 'unauthorized access' to Catapult game footage

Another cheating scandal is on college football’s horizon. On Friday, USA Today’s “For the Win” provided details on a potential data breach in a program used by teams for film review across the country.

Players from both Alabama and Michigan referenced a change in the way they watch film ahead of the Rose Bowl. Alabama wide receiver Isaiah Bond told reporters Alabama players were instructed not to watch film on the iPad due to security concerns.

“The app Bond said players were specifically told not to use is called Catapult, which provides comprehensive video and data analysis solutions for football teams. In response to a For The Win inquiry, a company spokesman confirmed the existence of an ongoing NCAA investigation into unauthorized access of football video footage and is cooperating with local authorities in the matter,” Blake Schuster wrote.

With the College Football Playoff mere days away, this development could reap massive effects on the outlook of the postseason. A breach would not only affect the teams involved but could spell disaster for any program that uses Catapult.

After the news broke, Catapult sent the following message to On3’s Pete Nakos.

“We are aware of the ongoing investigation of the alleged unauthorized access to NCAA football video footage,” the company wrote. “We have conducted an internal investigation and have not found any security breach in our systems.

“We have shared this with local authorities that are conducting an investigation. We will continue to support the ongoing investigation with the NCAA and local authorities. At Catapult, we hold ourselves to the highest of standards and safeguarding customer information is of utmost importance to us.”

Michigan makes decision on Catapult

Evidently, Alabama wasn’t the only program that was cautious of using their iPads for film review. On Friday, Michigan quarterback JJ McCarthy told the press that he and his teammates have not used their iPads to watch film since November.

The Wolverines reportedly stopped using the tablets on account of offensive coordinator Sherrone Moore’s orders.

“Yeah, just caught wind of things that could be going on,” Moore said. “Just told our kids, I think it was early November, ‘hey, we’re not watching stuff on the iPads anymore. Watch it in-house and handle it that way.'”

While this story affects more programs than Michigan and Alabama, it’s necessary to note neither program has used Catapult on their team iPads for some time. The two storied programs will face off at 5 p.m. ET on Jan. 1 in the Rose Bowl. The winner will advance to the national championship.