Dinich: B1G response "coming early this afternoon"
November 10th, 2023 at 8:50 AM ^
Washington fans are like, "what the hell are we getting into"
November 10th, 2023 at 8:05 AM ^
This makes me think it's just a fine. The optics are so unnecessarily hostile and would look terrible for the conference to drop this on such short notice.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:11 AM ^
Logically I agree, but this guy has been such a doofus so far that I'm not counting on anyone behaving rationally.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:05 AM ^
The hypocrisy from the coaches just doesn’t surprise me. They literally have our signs and shared it within themselves. But they get all pissy when there’s someone in the stands video recording them using a phone.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:06 AM ^
She’s a hack and plugged into the same corrupt sources as Thamel, with the same anti-Michigan stance.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
She’s stirring the soup just thinking about the possibilities
November 10th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
Yeah, she and Finebaum will soon join Thamel....
November 10th, 2023 at 10:13 AM ^
As a happy cat dad to two cats, I could watch this gif all day. I love it!
November 10th, 2023 at 8:07 AM ^
Here's a suggestion from the esteemed Rece Davis:
“I think if it is within the purview of the Big Ten…the more effective punishment would be to withhold revenue disbursement to a significant level, whatever they deem that to be, and for the members of the coaching staff, Harbaugh or whoever, shut down recruiting."
There's more!
“What they don’t want is to be prohibited from interacting with recruits when they come to campus. I don’t think that’s ever been done before but as I was thinking through this, I was thinking, ‘What’s an appropriate punishment? What is one that would get their attention and not impact the competition on the field?” Davis said.
Shifting topics, how would you punish Rece Davis for his role in this nonsense? :)
November 10th, 2023 at 8:10 AM ^
When did Rece Davis become such a petty, brainless shill?
November 10th, 2023 at 8:14 AM ^
Withholding revenue from the team that generates the plurality of it is a bold move. We're already sick of subsidizing everyone not named Ohio.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:22 AM ^
How about we ban Rece Davis from campus?
November 10th, 2023 at 8:26 AM ^
Only the best and the brightest.
Make me laugh, clown.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
If GameDay shows up, please boo him so loudly they have to remove Davis and bring back Fowler to run the rest of the show.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:55 AM ^
I wouldn't let GameDay show up on campus. It would be a "security risk".
They can set up on the front yard of some Spart who happens to live in town.
November 10th, 2023 at 10:26 AM ^
Stick them in the Arborland parking lot.
November 10th, 2023 at 12:11 PM ^
Maybe the Rest Area off of I-94 about 15 miles west of Ann Arbor…
November 10th, 2023 at 8:29 AM ^
Good Lord, what a buffoon.
I am shocked that this happened to good ole Rece Davis. But with his position, he has to go on Michigan's chipping block with Thamel at this point.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:31 AM ^
The man might just be retarded.
November 10th, 2023 at 10:38 AM ^
that’s a porcupine word
November 10th, 2023 at 8:38 AM ^
Never forget that Rece Davis is an Alabama grad. He could only hide his shameless SEC homer roots for so long and now he's turned into a complete clown. If GameDay comes to Ann Arbor in two weeks, he and his crew of shills (minus Desmond) are going to get a rude awakening that Michigan doesn't take shit lying down anymore.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:50 AM ^
The smug is strong with Rece. If they come to campus, some options need to be explored.
--ban him from campus
--nobody show up for that stupid show
--show up but make every sign about him or Thamel
Just a few options. I'm sure we can think of plenty more.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:56 AM ^
Don't be mad at Rece. This is what happens when you spend over a decade of Saturday late nights with Lou Holtz and Mark May.
November 10th, 2023 at 9:43 AM ^
Um, he doesn't want to hurt the players, so just withhold the team's money and stop recruiting? Since recruiting is the long-term lifeblood of a program, this would essentially force a coaching change or damage the long-term prospects of the program.
How do these guys say such things with a straight face? If they try to have GameDay on campus, put them in some alley next to a dumpster, and then boycott the show.
November 10th, 2023 at 10:12 AM ^
If I were ESPN I would withhold his revenue disbursement by a significant amount and prohibit him from interacting with the public in any way. I think that would get his intention and not impact the competition on the field.
November 10th, 2023 at 10:50 AM ^
Rece is an ass.
November 10th, 2023 at 11:19 AM ^
Hung, drawn, and quartered
November 10th, 2023 at 8:09 AM ^
If you commit a felony, you will see a judge immediately, regardless if it's a holiday weekend....can we please have a 55k fine, that only our AD pays and lets continue our dream season...42-10 go blue beat psu
The biggest scandal in all of this, ESPN is launching they're sportsbook very soon. While actively broadcasting every game and controls the cfp...just like the super bowl, the networks need to rotate the cfp.. obviously ESPN shouldn't be broadcasting games they are also handicapping...sounds like some wnba bs
November 10th, 2023 at 8:51 AM ^
Suggesting ESPN is going to have any role in setting a line is like saying Barstool made lines. Or Fox, or any other marketing partner for a (highly regulated) sportsbook
November 10th, 2023 at 8:09 AM ^
You know it's coming as soon as wheels up.
This Petitti guy is a real amateur.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
No chance it's more than a fine. Michigan can, and hopefully would fight that.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:10 AM ^
Feels like a fine. Michigan fights it. If they get the injunction, the Commissioner can say he tried. If they don’t get the injunction, it’ll piss Michigan off, but doesn’t damage the relationship beyond repair for the next TV deal in 2030.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:28 AM ^
If it’s a fine there would be no need (or grounds for) an injunction. M could still sue to contest it if they wanted but there wouldn’t be any irreparable harm in play.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:39 AM ^
They would still need to seek to enjoin the conference from levying the fine, it just wouldn’t need to be done on an emergency basis.
November 10th, 2023 at 9:24 AM ^
Correct.
If we assume two things.....that (1) Petitti is angry/still thinks this is 'the biggest scandal ever' (plausible, because it is hard for people to fully change their minds after adopting a hardened position, no matter what later information arrives), AND (2) that Petiti is not so dumb as to fail to see that Michigan's response really does show that Michigan would likely win in court...THEN he will want to issue some sort of sanction today, but so do in a way that blunts the possibility of Michigan filing for a TRO today.
So...if we assume all of the above...the best tactical move for Petitti right now would be to (1) levy a fine of no more than $10,000, and (2) decline to suspend JH.
Doing it this way denies Michigan the chance to file for a TRO today. It would also remove one of Michigan's legal arguments from the equation--the idea that, even if the Sportsmanship policy applies here, JH cannot be punished for Stalions' infraction. A $10,000 fine is an institutional punishment.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:59 AM ^
I've been a little conflicted as to whether I want Michigan to fight a fine that comes with an agreement to basically drop this from the B1G. Part of me wants to just put it behind us, but a growing part of me wants to at least take a few more pounds of flesh even if we keep most of our powder dry.
November 10th, 2023 at 9:15 AM ^
The other issue is, would the NCAA take that as an admission of guilt by Michigan?
November 10th, 2023 at 10:21 AM ^
They absolutely have to fight back. Don't give them a single penny. Remember, this is the 2nd unwarranted attack on Jim Harbaugh, with burgergate being the first. This is why you don't negotiate with terrorists. If they get what they want, they'll just try it again. However, punch them in the mouth and they'll crumple like the soft bullies that they are.
November 10th, 2023 at 10:34 AM ^
I’ve been on the same conflicted journey. At one end, there is the principle, dammit, and besides if we cave it’ll keep happening. It’s like feeding the crocodile arms and legs and hoping it goes away.
But if the fine is more or less symbolic maybe you just pay it and explain you’re doing it to remove the distraction in the interest of the players and coaches with no implication of guilt. Finish out a great season without this over our heads, and prepare to fight this in a bigger way after the season.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:10 AM ^
I can't hear her over her forehead. Jeezus make it stop. "Like a used diaper filled with Indian food..."
November 10th, 2023 at 8:11 AM ^
Edge of the internet indicates...
1. Pettii/Big Ten again asked/put out feelers for Michigan to accept a fine (no word on whether small or huge).
2. Michigan said no we cannot do that BC, as the response explains, the Big Ten cannot act until after the NCAA process has concluded.
3. Petitti/Big Ten not happy.
While some may argue in favor of accepting a monetary fine at this point just put it in the past....I do not see how Michigan could take that route.
The entire point of the Michigan letter response to Petitti is that the Conference Handbook and Sportsmanship Policy simply do not authorize the Big Ten to act until AFTER the NCAA has concluded its process.
Michigan cannot both argue that Petitti is not authorized to act...and also tacitly indicate that he is authorized to act by agreeing to a fine.
The only path forward for Michigan is to remain steadfast in the (totally correct) concept that the Handbook and Sportsmanship Policy simply do not permit Petitti to act at this time, let Petitti do whatever he will do, and then if he suspends/fines/puts Michigan on double secret probation/whatever....file for a TRO.
One can never predict what the outcome of a TRO application like this one would be. On the legal merits, Michigan has a very strong position. On the legal merits, Michigan wins.
But...one still has to factor in a 20% probability of losing the TRO simply based on judges are human too and who knows whether you get a careful and thorough one or...a blockhead.
If Petitti were smart he would simply sit on this until Monday, and at that point issue a statement indicating that the Big Ten will wait until the NCAA process has concluded.
But...we already know from the fact that he allowed himself to be dictated to by 13 other schools, and then acted on the thinnest of evidence and outside of the rules in the Handbook...that he is not smart.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:15 AM ^
I said it yesterday, but if the conference had floated a fine 2 weeks ago they'd have gotten it. Now it's too late for them.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:25 AM ^
We could of course consent to the fine while preserving the argument that they don't really have the authority to levy it, simply in the name of putting this to bed. Administrative enforcement fines commonly have no admissions clauses attached to them.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:32 AM ^
That is in fact the case when dealing with a government agency. But this is not a negotiated settlement with a government agency with a written settlement agreement.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:27 AM ^
The problem with paying a fine or accepting any kind of Big Ten sanction IMO before the NCAA investigation concludes is does that influence how the NCAA rules? Could that be taken as an admission of guilt if it is not fought?
November 10th, 2023 at 10:02 AM ^
Yes, it's the same false choice as before. Accept punishment before the investigation or else. If we accept it, it looks like we're admitting guilt. If not, the Big Ten's gonna get all pissy we aren't letting them break the league rules. Michigan's only choice is to lawyer up and hold
November 10th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
Organizations get in trouble for a couple things pretty commonly. The first is putting things in emails. The second is not following their own published rules and guidelines.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:30 AM ^
Well said, Ghost.
Looks like we will be battling both on the gridiron and in the courts this weekend.
November 10th, 2023 at 8:36 AM ^
I see it both ways. Your point is valid. However, I think we are willing to admit Stalions appears to have violated a rule. We just want the punishment to fit the crime following due process and with all relevant information available, some of which is still coming out. Paying a reasonable fine to make it go away is similar to settling a nuisance lawsuit you consider meritless. I would start with $25,000, which is the amount the ACC fined the teams in the Wakeyleaks incident, and go from there.
November 10th, 2023 at 10:20 AM ^
The letter makes it clear that we aren't willing to admit that Stalions broke any rules until an investigation has been completed that demonstrates he did. If he actually did what we all know he probably did but they didn't bother to actually compile any evidence of, then there's the question of how the NCAA interprets the in-person-scouting prohibition. It may not apply to third parties; if it does, then it also implies that the colluders also violated the regulation.