Report: Big Ten informs Michigan it could face discipline over sign-stealing

The Big Ten formally notified Michigan on Monday that the school could face disciplinary action from the league, a source told ESPN's Adam Rittenberg.

The Big Ten is required to send a letter "in the event it becomes clear that an institution is likely to be subjected to disciplinary action."

The letter alludes to evidence of illegal sign-stealing, which compromises the principles of the Big Ten's sportsmanship policy.

The NCAA is investigating the Wolverines for illegal off-campus recruiting violations and sign-stealing. Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti has the authority to impose discipline before the NCAA concludes its own investigation into the matter.

Connor Stalions, a Michigan analyst who's believed to have played a central role in the sign-stealing operation, resigned from his position Friday after initially being suspended with pay.

The Big Ten is more likely to suspend head coach Jim Harbaugh than enforce any team-related punishment, Rittenberg reports. Michigan and Harbaugh are both expected to pursue all legal options to push back against the conference if it disciplines them.

Petitti can suspend Harbaugh up to a maximum of two games and fine him $10,000 under the sportsmanship policy. Any punishment exceeding those marks would need approval from the joint group executive committee, which includes officials from several Big Ten schools.

Michigan president Santa Ono emailed the Big Ten commissioner prior to their meeting last Friday to urge him to respect due process amid the ongoing NCAA investigation. The message arrived just days after many Big Ten coaches and athletic directors spoke with Petitti about imposing a possible punishment on the Wolverines this season.

Michigan athletic director Warde Manuel said he'll skip this week's meeting of the College Football Playoff Selection Committee to focus on "important matters regarding the ongoing investigation."