Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti submitted a letter to the NCAA Committee on Infractions recommending that Michigan not face additional penalties related to the sign-stealing operation uncovered during the 2023 season.
According to a report from ESPN’s Dan Wetzel, sources familiar with the case said the letter was read at the Wolverines' two-day infractions committee hearing in June. Petitti himself did not attend the hearing because he reportedly was recovering from hip replacement surgery.
In the letter, Petitti reportedly argued that the Big Ten’s three-game suspension of then-head coach Jim Harbaugh — including Michigan’s matchup with Ohio State — constituted appropriate and sufficient punishment for the violations tied to former staffer Connor Stalions.
At Big Ten Media Days, Petitti confirmed he sent a letter to the NCAA Committee on Infractions. However, he declined to comment on the contents of the letter on Tuesday.
"We did submit a letter," he said. "It's not uncommon in proceedings for a conference office to weigh in. I'm not gonna address what the contents of the letter we sent are, and because it's an ongoing process, I don't think it's appropriate for me to comment whether (the punishment) is enough or not while there are individuals deliberating. I don't think that's the right thing to do in the process."
The amount of influence Petitti's letter will have on the NCAA Committee on Infractions is uncertain, as the NCAA isn't required to apply or even consider Petitti's opinion on the case. A final ruling from the NCAA is expected before the 2025 season. Potential penalties could include suspensions, recruiting limitations, fines, a postseason ban and/or vacated wins.
The NCAA has charged Michigan with 11 total violations, including six Level I allegations stemming from both the sign-stealing scheme and a separate recruiting investigation. Sources told ESPN that Michigan has proposed a two-game suspension for current head coach Sherrone Moore in 2025 for deleting text messages relevant to the case. Petitti’s letter did not address individual accountability or Moore’s proposed discipline.
The Big Ten confirmed to ESPN that Petitti sent the letter, though Petitti himself declined comment on the story. Neither the NCAA nor Michigan is allowed to comment publicly on a pending case.
Petitti’s current position reflects a shift from fall 2023, when he cited “the integrity of competition” in suspending Harbaugh under the Big Ten’s sportsmanship policy. Michigan challenged the decision in court and criticized the league’s handling of the matter.
