Connor Stalions' Lawyers Respond to Michigan NCAA Sanctions, Say He Was 'Railroaded'

After Connor Stalions received an eight-year show-cause from the NCAA for his involvement in Michigan's sign-stealing saga, his lawyers issued a statement.

Brad Beckworth of Nix Patterson, LLP said Stalions was "railroaded" by the NCAA.

"Connor already won. We knew he was going to be railroaded the moment the NCAA first leaked this story in violation of its own rules. The NCAA decided it would target and punish him in 2023. So, rather than let them ruin his career in silence, he decided to expose the NCAA for the fraud it is in documentary Sign Stealer. Rather than let the NCAA continue to hide in secret, we decided to let the public see the truth for itself. And what the public saw revealed what we already knew to be true: this was a rigged investigation; enveloped in impropriety (namely, a 'confidential source' that the NCAA still won't reveal); and all premised on an antiquated rule that the member institutions themselves have tried to eliminate as something that 'no longer serve[s] the needs of the membership and the 21st century student-athlete.'"

Stalions was a defensive analyst for Michigan in 2023 when the sign-stealing scandal came to light. The NCAA launched an investigation into the Wolverines' football program in October 2023, and Stalions resigned less than a month later.

After more than a year-and-a-half of investigations, the NCAA dished out sanctions on Friday. Along with Stalions' show-cause, former Wolverines head coach and current head coach of the Los Angeles Chargers Jim Harbaugh received a 10-year show-cause. Dernard Robinson, who was on staff from 2022 to 2024, received a three-year show-cause.

Sherrone Moore, Michigan's current head coach, will be suspended for three games. Michigan will also have to pay a $50,000 fine and 10 percent of its budget for the football program.

The Wolverines did not receive a postseason ban, and they won't have to vacate any wins from the 2023 season, including their national title.