TLDR
- A Texas judge granted a temporary injunction blocking the NCAA from banning Texas Tech QB Brendan Sorsby
- Sorsby admitted to placing at least 40 bets on his own team and wagering over $9,000 on college football
- His lawyers argued a permanent ban would harm his mental health
- The NCAA filed for an accelerated appeal, but it could take 9-12 months to resolve
- Sorsby must sit out the first two games of the season and continue counseling
A Texas judge has blocked the NCAA from permanently banning Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, allowing him to return to the field despite admitting to betting on his own team.
Judge Ken Curry issued a temporary injunction Monday in Lubbock County, where Texas Tech is located. The order gives Sorsby a path back to college football while the legal battle continues.
What Sorsby Admitted To
Sorsby admitted to placing at least 40 bets on the Indiana Hoosiers football team while he was a player there. He also made around 300 other wagers on college football during his time at Indiana. After transferring to Cincinnati, he continued betting on college football games.
In total, Sorsby wagered at least $9,000 on college football.
NCAA rules are clear on this. Student-athletes cannot bet on any sport the NCAA sponsors a championship for. Betting on your own team is treated as the most serious violation.
Texas Tech did not seek Sorsby’s reinstatement before he filed the lawsuit. The NCAA declined the school’s request to reinstate him after the lawsuit was filed.
Sorsby transferred to Texas Tech, where he is receiving an NIL package worth at least $5 million. He previously played at Indiana and Cincinnati.
The Judge’s Reasoning
Judge Curry wrote that Sorsby showed a “probable right to relief.” He said a permanent ban would prevent Sorsby from benefiting from elite coaching, training, and team camaraderie.
Sorsby’s legal team, which includes Texas Speaker of the House Dustin Burrows, argued the NCAA “weaponized his condition” and delayed its review of his eligibility. They said blocking him from playing his final college season would damage his mental health.
Sorsby has said anxiety contributed to his gambling problem.
The judge included conditions in the order. Sorsby must continue counseling and enroll in Gamblers’ Anonymous or a similar program. He must also sit out Texas Tech’s first two games of the season.
Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt said a “comprehensive support structure, including clinical care, monitoring, and compliance checks” will remain in place.
Appeal Timeline
The NCAA filed for an accelerated appeal to the state appeals court in Amarillo late Monday.
However, Texas attorney Christopher Kratovil said even a fast-tracked appeal is likely to take 9 to 12 months. That means the college football season could be over before a ruling comes down.
Judge Curry set a trial date of February 8, 2027, two weeks after the College Football Playoff championship game.
Sorsby’s first eligible game would be the third game of the season, after sitting out the opener against Abilene Christian on September 5 and a road trip to Oregon State the following week.
