Yesterday Brendan Sorsby, the Texas Tech quarterback originally declared ineligible by the NCAA for the 2026 season, was awarded a temporary injunction against the NCAA for his role in betting on college football games that he played in or on the teams he played for. This will allow him to play in the 2026 season for the Red Raiders. The decision was met with substantive anger and shock by many inside and outside the college sports arena.
Basics of the Injunction
The Texas judge ruled in favor of Sorsby’s claim that since the NCAA had declared him ineligible after he admitted he bet on Indiana football while he played for them, the decision would end his collegiate career and deny him the opportunity to earn his NIL and possible future NFL money. Here is the main piece as per On3.com
“This court finds that applicant has demonstrated that he will suffer a probable, imminent, and irreparable injury if this court does not issue this temporary injunction because he will be unable to participate as a member of Texas Tech University’s 2026 football team.”
Sorsby’s legal team also included two key ideas. First, they claimed that the NCAA was penalizing the athlete for suffering from a gambling addiction, which is a violation of their own constitution. They recorded that he had completed a residential treatment program for gambling. Secondly, Jeffrey Kessler, Sorsby’s labor lawyer, argued that the student “never bet on a game in which he played and never manipulated a game he participated in.” The team offered to the court to serve a two-game suspension as a way to show cooperation in the NCAA’s investigation.
What judge ruled on this?
Texas judge Ken Curry ruled on the case in Lubbock County, where the university is located. The original judge, Phillip Hays, recused himself without providing a reason. It was later found that Judge Hays grew up in Lubbock and has two degrees from Texas Tech, one being his law degree from the school.
The NCAA immediately appealed but Texas law makes the earliest it could possibly be heard be sometime in February, 2027, well after the football season ends.
Up in Arms over the ruling
ADs from numerous schools and many journalists expressed outrage over the decision. Big 12 athletic directors like Mark Harlan (Utah) and Gene Taylor (Kansas State) were openly critical. Troy Dannen from Nebraska has asked his coaches to refuse to schedule Texas Tech in ANY sport. So did Josh Brooks from Georgia.
Prominent journalists against the Texas judge’s decision were Pat Forde (Sports Illustrated) and Scott Van Pelt (ESPN). Dan Wetzel, also of ESPN, wrote in a column that this decision will cause permanent damage to the NCAA. His best line? “There are 8.3 billion humans on one side of this…and Judge Ken Curry on the other.”
Who is Brendan Sorsby?
Ron Jenkins/Getty Images for ONIT
Brendan Sorsby has played for Indiana University (2022-2023) and the University of Cincinnati (2024-2025). Reports are that he signed a five million dollar NIL contract with Texas Tech after the season ended for the Bearcats. Shortly thereafter, the NCAA began its investigation. They found and Sorsby did not deny that he made thousands of bets for himself and others. There are records of him transmitting money to family/friends for them to place bets. His betting was not just for his team but also player props for teams playing against his teams.
The NCAA may be weird at times, but they got this one right in making him ineligible for the 2026 season. The injunction against the NCAA has the makings of bringing an enormous earthquake to college sports, and not just football. But all the other sports for women and men.
As more becomes available, we will share with you all.
What do you think of this ruling? What should the ramifications be for Sorsby?
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