Live updates from NCAA press conference on Michigan ruling
Friday morning, the NCAA Committee on Infractions made official its ruling on the Michigan football scouting infractions case, handing out financial penalties, show causes for former staffers and adding on a game to head coach Sherrone Moore‘s suspension.
At 1 p.m. ET, the NCAA is meeting with media through Zoom to discuss the conclusion of the case. Follow along below for live updates.
Third party entity that brought the investigation to the NCAA
08/15/2025 12:26:27 PMCommittee chair Norman Bay: “The decision itself says about all we know about the confidential source in the report that was provided to enforcement. Under the NCAA’s bylaws, the use of confidential sources is expressly permitted, and enforcement staff can begin an investigation based on information from that confidential source. But, under the bylaws, the identity of the confidential source cannot be disclosed.”
Ohio State writer sounds off on Zoom
08/15/2025 12:20:56 PMA writer from ‘Bucknuts’ is upset on the Zoom call, bashing the NCAA Committee on Infractions. “Public sentiment is that something more should’ve been done about this,” he said.
The response from committee chair Norman Bay is as follows:
“Because the NCAA — faced with a truly unprecedented situation — decided to notify the Big Ten and Michigan on October 17, 2023.
“Michigan was able to respond pretty quickly. Mr. Stalions was suspended from the football program the next day, and shortly thereafter, in about two weeks or so, he ended up leaving Michigan. So, after October 17, 2023, there’s no evidence that anything he did affected the outcome of Michigan’s games that season.
“I hear your concern about the penalty, but I think the penalty here was very significant, I think it was meaningful and I think it sends a message to the membership that these rules matter, that having a compliance program and strong culture of compliance matters, and that schools and individuals that fail to comply will be held accountable.”
No Jim Harbaugh knowledge proof
08/15/2025 12:16:44 PMThe committee was asked if Jim Harbaugh was proven to have any knowledge of the scheme, and they indicated that there was no proof. They cited that Harbaugh didn’t turn over email or phone communication and that Connor Stalions’ phone was destroyed.
Why no vacated wins?
08/15/2025 12:14:39 PMAccording to Norman Bay: Vacation of wins is only considered if there are ineligible athletes. That was not a factor present in this case.
Why Sherrone Moore’s third game of suspension is in 2026
08/15/2025 12:13:05 PMCommittee chair Norman Bay: “In light of the totality of circumstances here, in light of the record that was developed and presented to the panel, we determined that a more appropriate penalty would add an additional penalty for the 2026 season.”
Funding for Stalions scheme
08/15/2025 12:11:44 PMCommittee chair Norman Bay: “There was evidence in the record suggesting that Stalions told an intern or others that there was an individual who provided funding to him. But Stalions himself denied receiving funding from any other person. Enforcement staff was not able to substantiate where the money came from. As a result, in my view, it raised a question about Stalions’ credibility, but we do not know where the money came from.”
Opening statement from committee chair Norman Bay
08/15/2025 12:02:30 PMHere are bullet points from topics that Bay discussed in his opening statement:
• Elaborate, impermissible scouting scheme was embedded in the Michigan football program over the course of three seasons, 2021, 2022 and 2023. This occurred under Jim Harbaugh’s oversight. This was supported by overwhelming evidence.
• There was an elaborate effort to obstruct the investigation.
• This case also includes recruiting violations.
• The majority of the case surrounds the scouting operation that was put on by former low-level staffer Connor Stalions.
• Individuals filmed signal callers on opponent sidelines and sent film to Stalions.
• Stalions and other individuals acknowledged this process. 56 instances of off campus scouting of 13 future regular season opponents occurred across 52 contests.
• The true scope and scale of the scheme, including the competitive advantage of the scheme, will never be known because of the obstruction of materials.
• The scouting scheme and the recruiting violations showed that Harbaugh failed to meet his head coach responsibility.
• Three parties — Michigan, Harbaugh and Moore — are repeat violators under NCAA rules.
• The financial penalties are “extremely significant.”
NCAA Zoom press conference to begin shortly
08/15/2025 11:53:11 AMThe press conference will begin shortly, scheduled for 1 p.m. ET.