Blab Sports
Texas Judge Grants Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby Temporary Eligibility Despite NCAA Ban
In a dramatic turn of events, a Texas judge has granted Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby a temporary injunction that lets him step onto the field for the 2026‑27 season, even though the NCAA has declared him ineligible for betting on college sports.
Judge Ken Curry of Lubbock County heard a two‑hour briefing and found that denying Sorsby would inflict a “probable, imminent and irreparable injury.” The ruling permits the 22‑year‑old to play, but conditions the decision on continued counseling for his gambling addiction and participation in peer‑support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous.
Sorsby’s eligibility crisis began in March after an NCAA investigation that traced back to a tip from an online betting book. The probe uncovered at least $90,000 in wagers, including 40 bets on Indiana games while he was a freshman there in 2022. NCAA rules state that any player who bets on his own team forfeits all remaining eligibility. The organization announced it would appeal the court’s order to the Seventh District Court of Appeals in Amarillo.
The Texas Tech athletic department has pledged a comprehensive support structure for the player, encompassing clinical care, monitoring, and compliance checks. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt said, “We do not believe that the circumstances of Brendan’s case warranted permanent ineligibility.” He added that the university remains committed to supporting Sorsby’s recovery.
The NCAA countered, warning that the ruling “undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports.” NCAA attorney Taylor Askew told the court that allowing Sorsby to play would be “reputable harm” to the governing body. The NCAA also stressed its dedication to student‑athlete mental health while insisting it must aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark highlighted the broader implications, noting that the decision could ripple across college athletics. He convened a meeting of the league’s athletic directors and executive board and has been in contact with NCAA President Charlie Baker. Yormark said the ruling “creates great concern amongst our membership.”
Under the injunction, Sorsby will miss Texas Tech’s first two games—a penalty the university had already proposed in its attorneys’ brief. The Red Raiders open the season on September 5 at home against Abilene Christian, then travel to Oregon State before hosting Houston on September 18 for the Big 12 opener.
The injunction does not alter the NCAA’s stance that Sorsby’s gambling violates its rules. The organization will appeal and has expressed deep concern about the “damaging, far‑reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome.” It also indicated it is exploring legislative options, including the Protect College Sports Act, to strengthen its enforcement powers.
Sorsby posted a brief statement on social media, thanking supporters and acknowledging the responsibility that comes with his return. He wrote, “I am also grateful for the chance to rejoin my teammates. This opportunity comes with the responsibility to remain focused on my personal growth, the ability to learn from this experience, and to be able to use my situation to help others going forward.”
The case has sparked debate over the authority of state courts to override NCAA eligibility rules. Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor expressed disappointment, calling the ruling “devastating” for a player who had faced punishment in other sports for betting on his own team. Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks, a member of the NCAA Football Oversight Committee, said the decision “has reached the point of no return.”
The NCAA’s new gambling guidelines, adopted in May 2023, still impose permanent bans for players who bet on their own sport. Sorsby’s case may prompt further scrutiny of how the NCAA enforces those rules and whether state courts will continue to intervene.
In summary, Judge Curry’s injunction allows Sorsby to play for Texas Tech this fall, but the NCAA will appeal. The Red Raiders will begin the season without him for the first two games, and the broader college‑football community will watch how the NCAA and state courts resolve the conflict over gambling violations.
Judge Ken Curry of Lubbock County heard a two‑hour briefing and found that denying Sorsby would inflict a “probable, imminent and irreparable injury.” The ruling permits the 22‑year‑old to play, but conditions the decision on continued counseling for his gambling addiction and participation in peer‑support groups such as Gamblers Anonymous.
Sorsby’s eligibility crisis began in March after an NCAA investigation that traced back to a tip from an online betting book. The probe uncovered at least $90,000 in wagers, including 40 bets on Indiana games while he was a freshman there in 2022. NCAA rules state that any player who bets on his own team forfeits all remaining eligibility. The organization announced it would appeal the court’s order to the Seventh District Court of Appeals in Amarillo.
The Texas Tech athletic department has pledged a comprehensive support structure for the player, encompassing clinical care, monitoring, and compliance checks. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt said, “We do not believe that the circumstances of Brendan’s case warranted permanent ineligibility.” He added that the university remains committed to supporting Sorsby’s recovery.
The NCAA countered, warning that the ruling “undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports.” NCAA attorney Taylor Askew told the court that allowing Sorsby to play would be “reputable harm” to the governing body. The NCAA also stressed its dedication to student‑athlete mental health while insisting it must aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark highlighted the broader implications, noting that the decision could ripple across college athletics. He convened a meeting of the league’s athletic directors and executive board and has been in contact with NCAA President Charlie Baker. Yormark said the ruling “creates great concern amongst our membership.”
Under the injunction, Sorsby will miss Texas Tech’s first two games—a penalty the university had already proposed in its attorneys’ brief. The Red Raiders open the season on September 5 at home against Abilene Christian, then travel to Oregon State before hosting Houston on September 18 for the Big 12 opener.
The injunction does not alter the NCAA’s stance that Sorsby’s gambling violates its rules. The organization will appeal and has expressed deep concern about the “damaging, far‑reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome.” It also indicated it is exploring legislative options, including the Protect College Sports Act, to strengthen its enforcement powers.
Sorsby posted a brief statement on social media, thanking supporters and acknowledging the responsibility that comes with his return. He wrote, “I am also grateful for the chance to rejoin my teammates. This opportunity comes with the responsibility to remain focused on my personal growth, the ability to learn from this experience, and to be able to use my situation to help others going forward.”
The case has sparked debate over the authority of state courts to override NCAA eligibility rules. Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor expressed disappointment, calling the ruling “devastating” for a player who had faced punishment in other sports for betting on his own team. Georgia athletic director Josh Brooks, a member of the NCAA Football Oversight Committee, said the decision “has reached the point of no return.”
The NCAA’s new gambling guidelines, adopted in May 2023, still impose permanent bans for players who bet on their own sport. Sorsby’s case may prompt further scrutiny of how the NCAA enforces those rules and whether state courts will continue to intervene.
In summary, Judge Curry’s injunction allows Sorsby to play for Texas Tech this fall, but the NCAA will appeal. The Red Raiders will begin the season without him for the first two games, and the broader college‑football community will watch how the NCAA and state courts resolve the conflict over gambling violations.
