Per Shuster: Big Ten Hiring Local Counsel Derailed TRO on Friday
Need the legal guys to weigh in on this regarding if it even makes sense.
In one of the threads on Friday night, someone remarked about having opposing counsel entered in the record.
If so, score one for the Big Ten I guess, but the war isn't over.
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EDIT (LSA) - a "long story made short" reply that I received someone that covers the next steps - "On Friday there will be a hearing on whether the TRO is granted. The TRO would preserve the status quo (JH coaching) until a hearing on the request for preliminary injunction. If the PI is granted, JH can coach until the breach of contract lawsuit is decided on the merits."
November 12th, 2023 at 9:25 PM ^
Ultimately, it's his unilateral decision regardless of how many BIG members support him. He's paid big bucks to make sound decisions, not popular ones. When this goes to court and proves his decisions were premature, reckless and most importantly flat out wrong....he will have no choice but to resign or get fired. No way he continues his role looking foolish as a result of his actions. And guess what, those BIG members that so called had his back will have no problem turning their backs on him, when facts disprove his actions. It's just business. This will not end well for Petitti.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:29 PM ^
But, he could also say, sorry we tried, we got 1 (or 2, if no decision on Friday is given right away), and lost in court and will wait now for the NCAA. Who knows with court cases. While it should be a slam dunk..shit happens
November 12th, 2023 at 10:31 PM ^
This is wrong. Once Michigan is maximally punished, Petitti will be removed. This is not a by the book guy just doing by the book things. This is a hit, and whether he succeeds or fails he will be taken out.
November 12th, 2023 at 11:08 PM ^
By who though?
He is doing the bidding of the majority of the Big Ten member institutions who want this done.
They will take him out if he doesn't do it.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:49 PM ^
Not to go all conspiracy theory on everyone, but don't you find it strange that all of these Conference Commissioners seem to be ushering in the destruction of the Conference model. It almost appears intentional and a way to push this towards a Super Conference with relegation.
There is too much money involved not to at least question motives. These Commisioners (i.e. Pac-12, Big 12 and now B1G) seem to be making some odd decisions.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:41 PM ^
I am liking your way of thinking. Yes, it's possible that these commissioners are double agents working against their employers.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:46 PM ^
double post
November 12th, 2023 at 8:46 PM ^
I think there are two main factors at play:
1) Pettiti's a pushover to begin with, afraid to tell OSU to pipe down, so they won't stop demanding blood (for the sin of beating their team the last two years);
2) Pettiti's background is with MLB, where sign stealing is much egregious than in football - which probably makes him even more receptive to OSU's whining. He hears "sign stealing" and alarm bells go off in his mind.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:56 PM ^
Petitti loses all credibility when he states and believes that this sign stealing is the biggest scandal in BIG history.
What?!
November 12th, 2023 at 9:10 PM ^
It tells you exactly what you’re dealing with.
Pettiti claimed that what Michigan was doing is worse than serial child rape.
Given that he has this perception how can Michigan expect reasonable treatment? Realize that Pettiti is basically an unhinged lunatic who probably sees himself on a quest to save the world from some evil plot he sees as on par with a Bohemian Grove style ritual ushering in Gozer the Gozerian or some such.
That or he’s just a shitty liar, but point stands.
November 12th, 2023 at 11:11 PM ^
Petitti also loses all credibility when he states and believes that in-person sigh scouting injures players.
He clearly does not know anything about this issue in-depth and is just listening to what he is being told.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:12 PM ^
I remember someone saying this in one of the threads that this is a possibility. B1G is really out to get UM? Aren't they? I don't trust that they will stop at anything. UM really needs to think about being in this conference.
Hope the Judge has some harsh words for B1G. That would definitely make the news and make it a little better for UM and fans.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:16 PM ^
I just don't get what the Big Ten is after. Are there no sensible minds in the Big Ten right now? You're launching a public campaign against 1 of the 2 teams making this league rich. What are you doing? Why aren't the other 10 Big Ten teams telling the league to chill tf out?
The real conspiracy is Pettiti is a plant to break up the Big Ten so they can get the 2 cash cows out and leave about 10 other schools behind to fight over Big 12 spots
November 12th, 2023 at 8:26 PM ^
Tony is letting the inmates run the prison. Day and other coaches and ad’s are probably pushing teeny to pull out all the stops on umich.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
Pettiti is treating Michigan like a lifelong blood rival instead of one of his constituents. The legal maneuvering displayed on Friday were so shady and underhanded, they would have made Connor Stallions proud.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:06 PM ^
Petiti's a pimp. He never could've out-fought Santa.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:24 PM ^
It was Delany all along.
November 12th, 2023 at 10:05 PM ^
I’ve wondered what their end game is, too.
maybe it’s as simple as contrived drama = better tv ratings?
November 12th, 2023 at 11:17 PM ^
I just don't get what the Big Ten is after
The Big Ten is not a "person" making wise and considered judgements. The Big Ten is nothing more than the collection of its members. Its commissioner serves at the pleasure of these members.
If the majority of those members want something, then that is what will happen. What they want is Harbaugh's head. They don't care if that pisses off Michigan, there are more of them than there is of Michigan.
November 13th, 2023 at 6:30 AM ^
Exactly. They resent Michigan and don’t like Harbaugh. They THINK that Michigan will bluster and complain and in the end Harbaugh will leave and Michigan won’t.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:12 PM ^
The Big Ten really seem to believe their own bullshit that somehow leaving Michigan unpunished for the amount of time it will take an actual investigation to be completed is some sort of clear and present danger to the sanctity of college football, don't they?
The sign stealer is no longer on the team, everyone knows to change their signs if they feel the needs. There is no ongoing problem, no matter how much you exaggerate the scope of the problem that ended a few weeks ago when everything came to light.
It just defies any sense of logic, and unless someone can provide a previous example, it's completely unprecedented. Murder, rape, coverup thereof? Buying recruits, abusing children? All that can wait for the justice system to run its course. Bending some bylaws they had half a mind to get rid of anyhow? Bring down the hammer of the gods, right here, right now.
I'm trying to see past my bias as a Michigan fan, but I just do. not. get. it.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:16 PM ^
That Alabama basketball player was implicated in a murder last season and never missed a single game, for the record.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:26 PM ^
Pshaw, murder. This is about player safe….. oh.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:55 PM ^
What? Everybody murders...
November 12th, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^
Steals signs from you, steals signs from me.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:27 PM ^
SEC - Winning just means more!
November 12th, 2023 at 9:07 PM ^
Come to think of it why ARE there 3 "Tigers" in that dumb conference? Least creative people ever.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:47 PM ^
Same reason there are 2 "Bulldogs". Your point stands.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:13 PM ^
Is shuster actually legit as a source? He is a real™️ journalist and somewhat prominent so may have access to this type of info, but he’s also a rather obvious shitposter, and started posting about Michigan at high volumes only very recently so hard to gauge.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:16 PM ^
I debated whether to post, but I think he's more than some random twitter poster given his journalism background. I'd be suprised if he just made this up without checking with people at Michigan.
Then again, this is the world we live in now.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:32 PM ^
He was proclaiming the TRO was a done deal and being held back so it could be issued after midnight (for 14-day timing reasons). Now apparently an appearance by opposing counsel the next am delayed it.
So, you can decide.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:36 PM ^
Yeah, that never made sense because if the judge was going to delay granting the TRO so that it would last through Ohio State, presumably the judge would also be inclined to grant the PI, in which case the length of the TRO is moot.
I think Shuster is making up shit. I am admittedly uncertain whether this claim is true, but I doubt it. It was an ex parte motion. If the judge wanted to grant it, he could have and should have.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:34 PM ^
This is 100% true. It was an ex parte tro so an appearance by opposing counsel had zero effect. The Judge didn't rule on it bc she wasn't going to grant it and probably thought that actually issuing a written order denying it would garner a bunch of unwanted attention towards her court.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:41 PM ^
She wants to get reelected next year.
November 13th, 2023 at 12:33 AM ^
I believe it's confirmed the judge is Connors, not Kuhnke, as JUB had said. Connors is ineligible for re-election due to his age, so, for better or worse, the sentiment of the electorate is not a relevant factor.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:01 PM ^
It was reported Friday evening on the MGoBoard that it was Gregg Henson making that claim. This is the first time I've seen Shuster's name connected to Friday's rumor.
November 12th, 2023 at 10:03 PM ^
Shuster tweeted something like he heard good news will be coming from the Washtenaw courthouse
November 13th, 2023 at 12:31 AM ^
He may have deleted it, but I can personally confirm that I saw him tweet Friday night that the TRO would be granted after midnight so it would last through OSU
November 12th, 2023 at 8:13 PM ^
Dick move. They (B1G and the gang) gameplanned well for this.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:13 PM ^
Some had theorized that Petitti was doing the suspension with the idea we'd get the TRO anyway, just to appease the mob.
If this is true, I think we can put that theory to rest.
November 12th, 2023 at 9:08 PM ^
I used to be on that train, but I don't buy it anymore. For him to actually impose penalty and commence litigation, he basically pushed all his chips in the middle. This will not end well for him.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:13 PM ^
Serious question- is Shuster credible? The dude is such an unhinged tweeter that I'm doubtful he's a legit source
November 12th, 2023 at 8:19 PM ^
He is a Michigan grad, and was an on-air correspondent for NBC News for many years (White House correspondent, IIRC). He was interviewed for the 2007 HBO Sports documentary, “Michigan vs. Ohio State.”
November 12th, 2023 at 8:14 PM ^
I’m surprised that any attorney would want to be involved with a case where the punishment was decided first, the facts are still being investigated, and the rules are being broken.
Whoever set up this whole railroading did a masterful job of it
November 12th, 2023 at 8:21 PM ^
Lawyers charge by the hour. If it's within the rules, not unethical and furthers the client's interests, the lawyer will most likely do it.
November 12th, 2023 at 8:15 PM ^
How legitimate is Shuster as a journalist?
November 12th, 2023 at 8:15 PM ^
not true. can have the TRO motion even with known opposing counsel. sometimes a court will call them up and have them on a speaker phone, or nowadays, on zoom depending on the logistics.
i stick to my original thought earlier today: the court is letting the B10 weigh in, have their say, and will hopefully grant the TRO. that TRO will act functionally like a preliminary injunction, which is an order that is supposed to stay in place until a final, full hearing on the merits of a given action. with a TRO in place that has had a fairly full hearing, the pattern is usually set and an actual preliminary injunction hearing at that point is a waste of time and wouldn't get scheduled until after the season (guessing on that).
November 12th, 2023 at 8:40 PM ^
Can't a court holiday make logistics more difficult?
November 12th, 2023 at 8:53 PM ^
eh, maybe, but not in my experience. there is always what we call a 'duty judge', meaning a judge who was on call 24/7 on every otherwise off-time for the court. no doubt U of M would know who to call to get the judge on the line.
in my old life we did search warrants at all hours of the day and night, and i can't tell you the number of times we did telephonic search warrants, meaning we would get the judge on the phone with a court reporter and record the required probably cause needed for the warrant and get it issued to go get bad guys in the middle of the night.