Dave Portnoy reacts to Michigan's punishment from NCAA on sign-stealing scandal: '20 million is ashtray money'

The NCAA made its ruling on the Michigan sign-stealing case on Friday morning, and the Wolverines were hit with some major penalties. That has notable Wolverines fan Dave Portnoy of Barstool Sports feeling some type of way.

A press release from the NCAA revealed Michigan’s punishment, featuring various penalties, such as a fine, multiple years of probation and an additional game of suspension for coach Sherrone Moore in 2026. Portnoy was not happy, but he decided to have some fun with it. He shared his confident, expletive-laced reaction to the news in the aftermath of the announcement.

Like we give a fuck about 20 million at Michigan. That’s ashtray money bro. #goblue pic.twitter.com/1zAnys6o8J

— Dave Portnoy (@stoolpresidente) August 15, 2025

“So the big, bad NCAA, that d***less organization, on the way out, corrupt, loses every lawsuit ever against them, NIL, can’t control nothing — they just fined Michigan $20 million. Like we give a f*** about $20 million. $20 million is ashtray money bro, for us. That’s like, what? One quarter of Bryce Underwood? We don’t care about $20 million. Oh, Connor Stalions? US Marine, by the way. He can’t coach for eight years, for what? Being great at decoding singles and serving his country? I don’t care. It doesn’t matter,” Portnoy exclaimed.

“Ohio State, cry. Little brother, cry. All you other schools, cry. It’s going to be student-body left, student-body right. We’ve got a quarterback. The forward pass is back in our offense. We’re gonna mash you, just like we’ve mashed Ohio State for the past 100 years. Haven’t beat us since the days of COVID. Let them cry, let them whine, let them take that $20 million. To a Michigan man? Ashtray money, bro. Ashtray money.

“We’re gonna see you Thanksgiving Day weekend, we’re going to beat the piss out of you. No $20 million gonna change that. $20 million, like we give a f*** about $20 million. We own the Big Ten, and we’re coming for you. See you on Big Noon Kickoff. I’m going to be there in Columbus.”

Regardless of Portnoy’s feelings, the NCAA didn’t come to its final decision without major deliberation. Their investigation into Michigan began in 2023, when news broke of an alleged sign-stealing scheme orchestrated by Connor Stalions.

He later resigned from his position. Then-head coach Jim Harbaugh served a suspension handed down by the Big Ten under its sportsmanship clause to end the regular season.

A hearing took place in June regarding the Stalions case, and the former analyst made an appearance. ESPN’s Dan Wetzel reported Michigan faced 11 violations, including six Level I – the most serious according to NCAA rules. The expectation was that a ruling would come down before the 2025 season officially started.

In the time since the investigation started, Michigan won the national championship and Harbaugh left for the Los Angeles Chargers, leading to Sherrone Moore’s elevation to head coach. He is preparing for his second season at the helm following last year’s 8-5 record, though he is already serving a self-imposed two-game suspension.

All told, Michigan is preparing to start the 2024 season Aug. 30 against New Mexico. All eyes are on who the quarterback will be, as Moore said he won’t make an announcement until game week. Dave Portnoy will be rooting for his Wolverines on regardless.

— On3’s Nick Schultz contributed to this article.