Eventually there will be an end to the news about the sign-stealing allegations at Michigan, but that hasn’t happened yet. Almost every day we get leaks, more media reports (even documentaries), and more about the NCAA, Jim Harbaugh, or Connor Stalions. And there doesn’t seem to be an end in sight.
In fact, ESPN — led by Paul Finebaum — was quick to respond and pounce. Just late last week, Finebaum appeared on “Get Up” to lambaste the NCAA for what was essentially a hollow show-cause penalty imposed not because of the sign-stealing scandal, but because of the fallout from contact with recruits during the COVID-19 pause.
In Finebaum’s eyes, the penalty rings hollow and he feels like it was only done to make a statement without having any real impact.
“I’m a writer and I’m desperately trying to find new words to describe the NCAA, but every time it’s the same ones,” Finebaum said. “They’re completely dysfunctional, they’re vindictive, they’re petty, but most of all, and I think everyone can sing the anthem here, they’re ridiculous. Nobody respects this organization, nobody really cares about it anymore because Jim Harbaugh is never, ever coming back. I know I’m quoting Taylor Swift here, but he’s not going to come back to college football. That’s why he left. He left to get away from that force… If Harbaugh had said, ‘I get it, you got me,’ he might have been suspended for one game. Instead, he was suspended for life and sentenced to the firing squad. That’s how absurd it is.”
.@finebaum And @Espgreeny respond to the NCAA’s imposition of a four-year suspension on Jim Harbaugh for recruiting violations. pic.twitter.com/sDGXeYyfWj
Look, I partially understand that. Sure, the NCAA is a bit of a paper tiger these days, looking for anything they can use to exert their influence. However, there is another side that would argue that if Harbaugh didn’t want to receive unrealistic penalties, maybe he shouldn’t have gone to the line and crossed it. — Get Up (@GetUpESPN) 8 August 2024
Look, I understand some of that. The criticism of the NCAA is not unfounded. It’s an organization that seems to be more of a paper tiger than anything else, trying to exert any influence it can. However, there is certainly another side to this issue that would argue that all Harbaugh would have to do is not step to the line and cross a line and the NCAA wouldn’t try to justify its existence at his expense.
