Chris Fowler reacts to NCAA punishment on Michigan, predicts impact on future of program

The majority of Michigan’s punishment from the NCAA for their sign-stealing scandal was monetary, with millions of dollars of fine levied against them based on certain percentages around their program. It’s a notable amount of money considering this day and age in college sports, but ESPN’s Chris Fowler doesn’t doubt that the Wolverines will still be fine when it comes to cash.

Appearing on ‘First Take’ on Tuesday, Fowler quickly discussed his reaction to the since-appealed penalties against the maize & blue by the NCAA. He knows that many millions do very much matter financially as schools try to raise money for their athletic departments, but, nonetheless, Michigan will continue to compete when it comes to money.

“Well, they’re going to give out a bunch of money in the fines, but they’ve got a bunch of money,” said Fowler.

“I mean, they’re going to continue to do well. I mean, their recruiting is a powerhouse. They’re willing to spend. It’s whatever it takes at Michigan. The arms race is on. The cost of these rosters is just, is quadruple what it was a few years ago.”

Michigan did receive four years of probation and recruiting sanctions, Sherrone Moore earned another game of suspension, and Jim Harbaugh, Connor Stalions, and Denard Robinson all received respective show-causes of varying lengths for the sign-stealing saga from 2023. However, again, most of this is financial for the Wolverines, accounting with a $50,000 fine, 10% of the program’s budget, 10% of their scholarships for the upcoming, a percentage of their postseason earnings for the next two seasons.

To be clear, these fines don’t affect what would be their budget for revenue sharing as set this summer by the passing of the House Settlement. However, with schools raising as much money for athletics as ever, these aren’t small figures that the Wolverines will have to pay up on.

That said, as one of the biggest and richest schools in the country, the Wolverines will be good for it. It clearly hasn’t yet impacted them either, as they secured a commitment from the No. 1 running back recruit in the country, per Rivals’ 2026 Industry Ranking, last week, just four days after this punishment finally came down from the NCAA.

These fines are not nothing for Michigan. Even so, the Wolverines are funded well enough to handle it over the next two to four years from when these fines are due through the end of their probation.