The NCAA sent a memo to all D-I conference commissioners Friday claiming that the "Protect College Sports Act" would override Brendan Sorsby's legal victory that allows him to play this season at Texas Tech despite a history of betting on his own team in violation of NCAA rules.
Ross Dellenger of Yahoo Sports was first to report the NCAA's memo.
As reported by CBS Sports, the bill, introduced by Sen. Ted Cruz (R-Texas) and Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Washington), aims to address a wide range of issues currently plaguing college athletics. "One of the most notable aspects of the bill is that it would, in theory, allow the NCAA to enforce its own rules without constant litigation," Austin Nivison of CBS Sports reported.
In the memo sent to the commissioners, the NCAA said the Protect College Sports Act would "resolve" the Sorsby saga if it passes and takes effect before the Texas Tech quarterback's legal battle reaches its conclusion, per Nivison's reporting.
"To answer many questions we received recently: yes, the bill would resolve the issue raised in the Sorsby case," the memo read. "There, Brendan Sorsby — Texas Tech's QB who admitted to placing thousands of sports bets, including wagers on his own team — successfully sued the NCAA in state court to overturn his NCAA-mandated ineligibility. If the Protect College Sports Act becomes law before the case is fully resolved, it would override Sorsby's legal challenge and allow the NCAA to maintain its eligibility restriction."
"We believe the bill gives the NCAA clear authority to restrict a student-athlete's eligibility based on improper gambling activity," the NCAA said. "Sorsby challenged his ineligibility under state contract law, arguing that the NCAA broke a promise or agreement. While the bill generally does not override state-level contract or personal injury claims, it does override any state law claim that directly conflicts with what the bill allows. Because the bill expressly permits the NCAA to enforce gambling-related eligibility issues, a state court cannot simultaneously order the NCAA to reverse that enforcement."
Related: NCAA Appeals Court Ruling That Restores Brendan Sorsby's Eligibility
Nivison wrote, "This claim by the NCAA also calls into question the eligibility of other players who have received injunctions — such as Ole Miss quarterback Trinidad Chambliss — while their legal cases are pending. Unlike Sorsby, however, Chambliss' argument was based on an illness he suffered earlier in his college career and was not related to gambling violations."
