A lot of discussion about a "settlement" between the Big Ten and Michigan. Not so fast. Some striking differences between the Big Ten statement and the UM statement:
1. The UM statement explicitly states the conference has "closed its investigation" but the Big Ten statement says nothing of the sort. @NicoleAuerbach tweeted that her Big Ten source said the conference would defer to the NCAA but subject to a massive, massive caveat around whether the NCAA finds that "countable coaches" knew of the scheme.
2. The UM statement refers to a mutual resolution of litigation while the Big Ten Statement refers to UM "withdrawing its legal challenge."
3. The Big Ten statement also has a nice little zinger of a first sentence. Definitely purposeful. A twist of the knife.
All that being said, I think Petitti and the conference got what they wanted and, at this point in time, I don't think they'll go full nuclear against their golden goose for more mid-season punishment. But, again, it's striking to me to see how discordant the two press releases are. Usually, you'd see them coordinated or issued as a joint-statement. The two sides are still far from being on the same page. Buckle up.
1. The UM statement explicitly states the conference has "closed its investigation" but the Big Ten statement says nothing of the sort. @NicoleAuerbach tweeted that her Big Ten source said the conference would defer to the NCAA but subject to a massive, massive caveat around whether the NCAA finds that "countable coaches" knew of the scheme.
2. The UM statement refers to a mutual resolution of litigation while the Big Ten Statement refers to UM "withdrawing its legal challenge."
3. The Big Ten statement also has a nice little zinger of a first sentence. Definitely purposeful. A twist of the knife.
All that being said, I think Petitti and the conference got what they wanted and, at this point in time, I don't think they'll go full nuclear against their golden goose for more mid-season punishment. But, again, it's striking to me to see how discordant the two press releases are. Usually, you'd see them coordinated or issued as a joint-statement. The two sides are still far from being on the same page. Buckle up.
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