Investigation into Michigan’s Sherone Moore Costs Over $10 Million
When the University of Michigan announced an investigation into former head coach Sherone Moore, the costs likely caught fans off guard—over $10 million had been allocated for an attorney to explore past violations. As the saying goes in college sports, the clock is always ticking on billable hours.
While Michigan works to finalize its inquiry into Moore’s relationship with former staff member Paige Shiver, it has hired the Jenner & Block law firm based in Chicago. Their objective is to delve into alleged misconduct linked to Moore’s affair with a 32-year-old soccer staffer.
Interestingly, the investigation into Moore began back in November 2025 after the two were rumored to be involved, and chatter about the situation has circulated in football circles for over three years now. However, during the initial weeks, the firm and the university discovered the need for concrete evidence of wrongdoing rather than just circumstantial claims.
The details revealed by the law firm are yet to be officially publicized, but the costs associated with this investigation are certainly higher than what the university may have anticipated. Reports from the Detroit News, which filed a FOIA request, indicate that Jenner & Block billed Michigan for investigative work totaling over $11.5 million from November 2025 through March 2026, with financial details from April still outstanding.
Expansion of the Investigation
You might wonder what could warrant such significant expenses. Well, the school decided it was necessary to keep the same team engaged for a broader investigation into the athletic department’s culture, prompted by Moore’s alleged affair. This expanded inquiry aims to address the cultural issues that led to multiple NCAA investigations, including the federal accusation against former assistant coach Matt Weiss for illicitly accessing athletes’ personal accounts.
Moore’s Termination
Shiver revealed in an interview that her relationship with Moore started when he was an assistant coach under Jim Harbaugh in January 2022. She joined the university as an intern in 2021 and quickly moved up to assistant recruiting coordinator. After Harbaugh took a head coaching job with the Los Angeles Chargers, Moore was appointed as head coach on January 26, 2024, shortly before hiring Shiver as his executive assistant—prompting their relationship to evolve further.
Rumors about Moore and Shiver’s affair began circulating last summer, leading to the university’s internal investigation. Yet, it appears that Michigan’s athletic director, Ward Manuel, didn’t have enough evidence to act until someone provided solid proof. That pivotal moment came on December 8, 2025, when Shiver presented electronic evidence of their relationship.
Moore was eventually fired on December 10, 2025, the same day he was accused of an alarming incident where he allegedly broke into Shiver’s apartment and threatened her with a knife, expressing that she had “ruined his life.”
Following this turmoil, Moore faced legal repercussions, receiving 18 months of probation after pleading no contest to two misdemeanor charges related to the incident with Shiver. He is prohibited from contacting her as part of his sentencing.
Both Shiver and Moore hold the key to what truly transpired in the days leading up to this chaos, but an ongoing investigation into the athletic department might soon clarify many aspects of their relationship. As the university awaits a comprehensive final report, Shiver disclosed in an interview that she had to undergo an abortion while with Moore due to medical complications.
The outcomes of this investigation may significantly impact the future of Michigan’s athletic director and could potentially open the door to legal action from Paige Shiver. All eyes now turn to see what happens next in this unfolding saga.
