Michigan AD Warde Manuel steps forward, preaching steadiness after years of navigating storms
Warde Manuel, the athletic director at Michigan, has faced numerous challenges during his tenure, including scandals and significant changes in college athletics. Despite these issues, he emphasizes the importance of steadiness and leadership in navigating turbulent times. Michigan continues to thrive in this environment, maintaining its position within the Big Ten while addressing emerging conflicts over media rights and partnerships.
- ▪Warde Manuel has dealt with a sign-stealing investigation and the firing of a football coach during his time as Michigan's athletic director.
- ▪The university has agreed to a basketball game against Duke that will be broadcast on Amazon Prime, raising questions about media rights.
- ▪Manuel believes that Michigan is in a strong position within the Big Ten and does not currently need a proposed private equity deal.
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Michigan AD Warde Manuel steps forward, preaching steadiness after years of navigating storms From scandal to streaming battles, Manuel has navigated a turbulent stretch -- and Michigan continues to win while shaping what comes next in college athletics By Brandon Marcello May 20, 2026 at 10:24 am ET • 6 min read Getty Images RANCHO PALOS VERDES, Calif. — Warde Manuel has managed more institutional turbulence than most athletic directors see in a career. A sign-stealing investigation. The arrest and firing of his football coach. A national basketball championship. A rejected private-equity bid. An Amazon streaming deal that sparked tensions within the conference.Yet Michigan keeps winning.
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