Blau

November 5th, 2023 at 12:23 AM ^

Aw shit… you don’t say?

This wouldn’t happen to have anything to do with Santa Ono’s letter posted here like 10 hours ago, would it?

Communist Football

November 5th, 2023 at 8:51 AM ^

The problem with Ono’s letter is that it was issued *prior* to Michigan’s meeting with Pettiti. So it’s possible that Pettiti used that meeting to share his “investigative” findings and give Michigan a chance to respond. I’m not sure if the meeting would meet the requirements in the B1G bylaws, but it’s certainly unclear based on what is public whether or not the meeting with Pettiti changed some of the factors that Ono’s letter discussed regarding Pettiti following the B1G’s mandated procedures.

Translation: A lot of uncertainty right now as to whether or not a court would side with us or the B1G in litigation. Pettiti went to Harvard Law School and will not be unsophisticated about such things.

MaizeBlueA2

November 5th, 2023 at 12:41 AM ^

He should be saying something, but this is a Ono matter at this point.

When the B1G commish is involved, that's the presidents...it's beyond just the AD level.

That said, Warde isn't going to make a comment at this point without his bosses sign off. My issue with Warde is he could've made this same statement a week or two ago. Now it's too late.

That said, a statement from Warde isn't doing shit. Let's be honest. Warde urging for due process wouldn't have gotten anything accomplished.

The only thing Warde should be doing is figuring out how to mitigate this disaster while simultaneously digging up everything he can get on every other team in the league. That's how he makes himself useful. It's too late for statements and grandstanding. 

WalterWhite_88

November 5th, 2023 at 12:36 AM ^

You shouldn't be getting negged, because this is the first I've seen a national sports outlet report on this. Yes, we already knew about Ono's letter, but we didnt know if any national media was going to report on it, so, it's good to see this. 

BleedThatBlue

November 5th, 2023 at 1:01 AM ^

Consider me jumping on the “fire Warde” wagon after the no comment action. Get it that things need to be vetted through PR, president, etc., but holy shit. UM has gone three weeks of getting lambasted from every aspect of so called media and this is it from him? No comment? Show support in media and say you stand with Ono. Say you support Harbaugh. Say you want to see due process play out. SAY ANYTHING. I know he’s limited, but genuinely, what the hell is he doing?? 

J. Redux

November 5th, 2023 at 1:21 AM ^

He is doing his job.

The athletic director is not supposed to be a fan.  He is not supposed to be a public cheerleader for the head coach, particularly when such cheerleading would violate NCAA regulations.  “No comment” is exactly what he’s supposed to say, because it’s all he’s allowed to say.

UMForLife

November 5th, 2023 at 5:00 AM ^

Come on. If he doesn't want to put his neck out for Harbaugh, fine. Harbaugh is a millionnaire and a guy who has seen it all. But, those players don't deserve this. He could have just shown some support to the team. Just blanket "support our team". Or "Our President said it best. I will leave it at that". I am not bashing him and if he can work the back channels great. But saying something is not going to ruin anything.

KSmooth

November 5th, 2023 at 1:25 AM ^

My impression is that Rittenberg is a decent reporter, but he missed the real story here.  The real story is the not-so-subtle notification that if the Big Ten takes any substantive disciplinary action without going through proper procedures Michigan will file for an injunction and almost certainly get one.

Humen

November 5th, 2023 at 2:19 AM ^

This article is pathetic.

  1. It is led by a giant video player with a headline saying “Thanel says what happens to Michigan next”
  2. Thamel is cited throughout, basically as a source 
  3. It refers to sign stealing as cheating
  4. It contradicts Ono’s letter 
  5. It buries the important bits of Ono’s letter, including a throwaway line at the end that sources say Michigan will contest any immediate punishment from the league 
  6. It refers to “Sources” throughout 

I could go on. It looks like this is the best they can do. 

Hensons Mobile…

November 5th, 2023 at 7:54 AM ^

as Petitti mulls potential discipline for the Wolverines for alleged off-campus scouting and signal stealing

Yep, that is very poorly worded. Anyone who already knows the facts can blow right past that and know what it really is supposed to mean. But to someone who hasn't been paying attention, this pretty clearly looks like Michigan is going to be disciplined for "signal stealing" in addition to off-campus scouting.