Tony Petitti Tells NCAA: No More Punishment for Michigan

Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti is standing up for Michigan football — even after the school once challenged his credibility during the 2023 sign-stealing scandal. Despite a strained history with the Wolverines, Petitti recently submitted a letter to the NCAA Committee on Infractions, arguing that Michigan should not face additional punishment related to former staffer Connor Stalions’ alleged advanced scouting efforts.

The letter, which sources told ESPN was read during a June hearing in Indianapolis, came as the NCAA weighs 11 rule violations against Michigan — including six Level I violations, the most serious kind. A ruling is expected before the 2025 season.

Petitti Points to Harbaugh Suspension as Enough

In the letter, Petitti emphasized that the Big Ten already punished Michigan when it suspended then-head coach Jim Harbaugh for the final three games of the 2023 regular season: matchups at Penn State and Maryland, and a home game against rival Ohio State.

Michigan won all three games without Harbaugh and went on to win the national championship.

Petitti was unable to attend the hearing in person due to hip replacement surgery. However he confirmed the letter through a Big Ten spokesperson. The NCAA and Michigan declined to comment, as the case is still ongoing.

The committee is not required to consider Petitti’s stance. If it decides otherwise, Michigan could still face penalties such as vacated wins, postseason bans, fines, or suspensions for coaches or staff.

NCAA Still Reviewing Moore, Stalions, and Harbaugh

Michigan has already proposed a two-game suspension for current head coach Sherrone Moore during the 2025 season. Moore was the offensive coordinator when the scandal broke and deleted a thread of text messages with Stalions. Although the NCAA recovered the messages and found no evidence Moore knew about the scheme, the school offered the self-imposed punishment.

The NCAA could still issue individual penalties for Moore, Harbaugh (now with the Los Angeles Chargers), Stalions, and others. Sources say Petitti’s letter did not address those individuals.

A History of Conflict Between Michigan and the Big Ten

Petitti’s support comes as a surprise, given the intense backlash from Michigan during the 2023 season. After the Big Ten suspended Harbaugh, Michigan fired back with a legal challenge claiming the punishment was unfair, lacked due process, and damaged the reputations of both Harbaugh and the university.

In a court filing, Michigan called the Big Ten’s actions “fraudulent, unlawful, unethical, unjustified, and per se wrongful.” The school later dropped its lawsuit, but the tension remained.

Petitti skipped the high-stakes Michigan–Ohio State game that season. Though the Big Ten said he was never scheduled to attend, many viewed his absence as a statement. At the Big Ten Championship game a week later, Michigan fans loudly booed him as he presented the trophy to injured lineman Zak Zinter, avoiding Harbaugh even though his suspension had ended.

Petitti’s Message: Michigan Has Paid the Price

In his original 2023 suspension letter, Petitti wrote that the Big Ten was punishing the program — not Harbaugh directly — for violating the “integrity of competition.” He also left the door open to further discipline if new evidence came to light.

Now, his latest message implies no such new evidence has surfaced.

Petitti’s support may also reflect the broader goal of protecting the strength and reputation of Big Ten programs, especially when NCAA sanctions could impact competitiveness.

For now, the commissioner believes Michigan has served its time. Whether the NCAA agrees remains to be seen.