Michigan sign-stealing allegations: Big Ten sends formal notice of potential disciplinary action, per report

The dominos continue to fall for Michigan and it’s sign-stealing allegations. Now, the first step toward punishment has been sent toward the Wolverines — but not by the NCAA. Instead, the Big Ten Conference is the first to make their move.

“A Michigan official has confirmed to ESPN that the school received formal notification from the Big Ten of potential disciplinary action,” ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg wrote. “This is a step stated in the league’s sportsmanship policy.”

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The majority of Big Ten Conference schools were the direct target of these alleged sign-stealing attacks, so it checks out that the conference itself would like to move quicker than its governing body. Still, the NCAA has sent officials to Ann Arbor to begin their investigation, so the discplinary process could be sped up with this case being so public — not to mention Michigan being a national champion hopeful.

Rittenberg referenced NCAA policy regarding their notice of disciplinary action and what could come of the situation in the near future. The statement reads as follows:

“10.3.2 Notice of Disciplinary Action. In the event it becomes clear that an institution is likely to be subjected to disciplinary action, the Commissioner shall notify that institution or individual at the earliest reasonable opportunity. Under no circumstances shall the Commissioner comment publicly regarding either an investigation or disciplinary action without having first provided notice to any involved institution or individual.”

Report: Former Michigan shares incriminating docs to Big Ten team

In talking to Larry Lage of the Associated Press, a former employee of a former Big Ten football program has revealed a new twist in the Michigan sign-stealing scandal. He says his job was to steal signs and “compile” a spreadsheet of signs the Wolverines used — working with multiple schools across the conference.

The employee stated he handed over the spreadsheet and other documents to Michigan in the past week and their investigation rages on.

“The spreadsheet was compiled with details from a handful of coaches and programs across the Big Ten, the person said,” the Associated Press report said. “He also said gave the details to Michigan last week because he hoped it would help Jim Harbaugh’s embattled program and he believes Harbaugh and his coaches are being unfairly blamed for the actions of a rogue staffer.”

On3’s Griffin McVeigh contributed to this report.