Unveiling the Costs: Michigan’s Price Tag for the Sherrone Moore Investigation

The University of Michigan has reportedly disbursed a significant $11.5 million to the legal firm responsible for investigating former head coach Sherrone Moore and the surrounding culture within the Wolverines’ football team.

Moore’s termination took place on December 10 following an inquiry into an “inappropriate relationship” with 32-year-old Paige Shiver, who served as his executive assistant for the team.

On the same day, Moore was apprehended near Shiver’s apartment after authorities responded to a report that he had entered her home and allegedly threatened self-harm.

In March, the ex-offensive coordinator under Jim Harbaugh received 18 months of probation after entering a no contest plea for misdemeanor charges of trespassing and malicious use of a telecommunications device.

Judge J. Cedric Simpson handed down prison sentences of 180 days and 30 days, but these were suspended, meaning Moore will avoid jail time if he complies with the conditions of his probation.

According to The Detroit News, Michigan hired Chicago-based law firm Jenner & Block in November 2025 to investigate Moore’s inappropriate relationship with his executive assistant. It is believed to have only concluded last month.

Former Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore arrives in court with his wife Kelli 

After Moore received his sentence of 18 months’ probation over his arrest for confronting Shiver at her apartment, she scolded the judge’s decision in a statement 

Jenner & Block reportedly charged the university over $2million for work done in March alone. Two invoices seen by The Detroit News show charges of $1,887,708.37 and $172,339.50. 

It remains unclear whether there are more financial charges heading Michigan’s way. 

Once Shiver had come forward about her relationship with Moore and he was fired, the investigation grew to look at how he was let go and the wider culture of the school’s athletics department, which has had multiple controversies in recent years.

‘The University of Michigan makes significant investments in athletics, which is a source of pride for our U-M community, and this investigation is being resourced to help strengthen our athletics program moving forward,’ Paul Corliss, Michigan’s assistant vice president for Public Affairs and Internal Communications, said in February.

‘Conducting a thorough legal review of complex and high stakes issues at a college or university requires significant time, specialized expertise and resources.

‘In this case, the work involves two related but distinct efforts: a review concerning Sherrone Moore’s conduct and a broader assessment of the culture within the athletic department. The University is committed to ensuring both are handled with the seriousness, independence and care they require.’

Last month Shiver said she became pregnant during her yearslong affair with Moore but was forced to terminate the pregnancy over health concerns.

She revealed in a bombshell interview with ABC that she was already pregnant when she learned she was suffering from Pompe disease, a rare, inherited lysosomal storage disorder that weakens muscle. 

Paige Shiver, the former mistress of fired Michigan football coach Sherrone Moore, became pregnant during their yearslong affair but was forced to terminate over health concerns 

Moore, pictured with wife Kelli, allegedly threatened to kill himself during the shocking incident

Doctors feared for her safety while Moore, a 40-year-old married father, urged her to terminate the pregnancy.

‘Multiple doctors and experts told me that it wouldn’t be right or healthy for me to keep the baby,’ she told ABC. ‘[Moore] said you have to do what’s right for your body.’

Shiver informed the school about their yearslong affair on December 10, leading to Moore’s dismissal that day. Hours later, Shiver told ABC, Moore was barging into her apartment. 

‘All of a sudden, I hear footsteps, and they’re getting closer and louder, and I’m like ‘C**p!’ and so I run to my door to try to lock it,’ she said. ‘He barges in, and he’s standing like this close to me, and he said, ‘You ruined my life. Why would you do this to me?”

‘I start backing up, and he starts following me,’ she continued.

Asked if she feared for her life, Shiver agreed. 

‘Oh my gosh, yes,’ she said. ‘He’s 6ft4, and he comes in with his hood up, looking down at me, saying, I ruined his life, crying. And then [he] starts coming at me, and I tell him to leave, that he’s not supposed to be here. He’s not he’s not listening to me. And then he starts grabbing butter knives.’

Moore fled the scene, but was arrested soon thereafter.  

The disgraced coach landed a huge victory in court last month when charges of home invasion, stalking, and breaking and entering against him were dismissed as part of an agreement with prosecutors. In exchange, Moore pleaded no contest to misdemeanor counts of trespassing and malicious use of a telecom device in a relationship.

Kelli Moore, left, is seen with husband Sherrone and his attorney Ellen Michaels in March 

Shiver believes Moore should have faced harsher consequences. 

‘I think he should have gotten more punishment for what he did,’ she told ABC. 

Shiver also pointed the finger at school officials, whom she claimed were aware about her relationship with Moore. Asked if the school had a moral obligation to intervene when learning about the relationship between Shiver and her boss, she emphatically agreed. 

‘He controlled everything that was going on in my life, and they didn’t do anything about it,’ she said. 

In a statement to ABC, a school spokesperson said the University ‘acted promptly to terminate Moore and that it is committed to ensuring a professional and respectful workplace for all members of its community.’