Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned the Big 12 Conference on Thursday that it could face massive legal and financial liability if it sanctions Texas Tech University for playing quarterback Brendan Sorsby this season.
Paxton sent a formal letter to Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and board chairman Douglas Girod, stating that any punishment for honoring a recent court order would violate federal and state law and expose the conference and its members to antitrust claims. He estimated potential damages — including lost revenues, alumni contributions, recruitment harm and attorneys’ fees — could exceed $200 million.
The warning stems from a June 8 temporary injunction issued by a Lubbock judge in the case *Sorsby v. NCAA*. The order blocks the NCAA from enforcing its permanent ineligibility ruling against Sorsby, allowing him to play most of the 2026 season after a two-game suspension while he continues treatment for a gambling addiction. Texas Tech is not a party to the lawsuit but has supported Sorsby’s return as a student-athlete.
Attorney General Paxton Warns Big 12 Conference That Sanctioning Texas Tech Would Violate the Law and Expose the Conference and Members to Over $200 Million in Liability: https://t.co/NOkIBVyC8A
— Texas Attorney General (@TXAG) June 11, 2026
Sorsby, a transfer from Indiana and Cincinnati, admitted to placing thousands of sports bets over four years, including dozens on his own former team. The NCAA ruled him permanently ineligible, but the court sided with Sorsby on due process and other grounds. The NCAA plans to appeal, with a full trial set for February 2027.
Big 12 athletic directors have expressed strong opposition to Sorsby playing, with some discussing potential boycotts or other measures under conference bylaws. Yormark confirmed receipt of Paxton’s letter and said the league is consulting legal counsel ahead of a full board meeting next week. “All options remain on the table,” he stated.
The situation has sparked intense debate across college football about gambling integrity, athlete eligibility and conference authority. Texas Tech has emphasized Sorsby’s ongoing recovery and support.
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