NCAA denies Connor Stalions’ appeal of penalties in Michigan sign-stealing investigation

The NCAA appeals committee has upheld the original sanctions against former Michigan football staffer Connor Stalions, concluding a lengthy investigation into a sign-stealing scheme. Stalions received an eight-year show-cause order, which restricts NCAA schools from hiring him without demonstrating compliance with NCAA rules. The investigation, stemming from Michigan's 2023 national championship season, found that Stalions and collaborators used cellphone videos to gather opposing teams' signals during games from 2021 to 2023.

Stalions argued that the investigation was flawed due to procedural errors and media bias, but the appeals committee rejected these claims, citing his participation in a Netflix documentary as undercutting his argument of undue publicity. The NCAA also sanctioned Michigan by stripping its postseason revenue for two years, imposing a fine that may exceed $30 million, and placing the school on four years of probation. Former Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh received a 10-year show-cause order. Central Michigan was fined and placed on