The Big 12 filed a lawsuit Monday in the Northern District of Texas seeking a declaratory judgement in the case of Brendan Sorsby, as well as injunctive relief to allow the league the authority to use its bylaws to potentially punish the embattled Texas Tech quarterback.
"A declaratory judgment that the First Amendment protects the Conference's right to invoke its authority under its Bylaws to sanction [Texas Tech] related to its handling of the sports betting activity discussed in this Complaint, including if TTU fields a student-athlete in Big 12 competitions who has engaged in collegiate sports betting activity."
The move comes after the Texas attorney general last week warned in a letter than any sanctions imposed by the Big 12 would be "unlawful" and countered by legal action.
Texas AG Kenneth Paxton, along with the chancellor, president and athletic director of Texas Tech are listed as co-defendants in the lawsuit.
The Big 12's legal jockeying comes after an appeals court judge granted Sorsby an injunction that restored his eligibility despite Sorsby having admitted that he gambled over $90,000 on games he played in while at Indiana.
The NCAA has already appealed that decision, the ruling by stating it "corrupts the integrity of sports." AL.com reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker cited the ruling as the latest reason why the NCAA needs the Protect College Sports Act.
The Big 12's presidents met Monday to discuss potential punishments for Sorsby with no definitive outcome.
"Universities should not field players who have bet on their own team's games in college athletics," the Big 12 Board of Directors said in a statement. "This situation is evolving with pending legal matters and the upcoming start of the football season, and the Conference hopes for a timely resolution of these issues. The Board continues to keep all options on the table."
The Big 12's filing suggests possible financial penalties for Texas tech, as well as possible eligibility penalties.
"When one Member Institution allows a student-athlete whose admitted conduct creates serious integrity concerns to compete in Conference games for Conference championships, the consequences extend beyond that institution," the filing reads. "TTU's decision to associate with, if not endorse, a student-athlete in this manner will affect opposing schools, student-athletes, fans, broadcast partners, Conference standings, championship eligibility, and the public reputation of The Big 12 as a whole."
The Big 12 also noted in its filing that most of the college sports world feels the same about the decision.
"These industry reactions reflect a rational institutional judgment shared by industry experts and institutions even outside the Conference that the presence of Sorsby's documented history in Conference games creates a cloud over the legitimacy of those games, a reputational risk for institutions that participate in them, and an unequal playing field for Member Institutions who are upholding the values of the Conference."
