A judge in Lubbock, Texas, granted Brendan Sorsby his request for an injunction against the NCAA, making him eligible to play quarterback for Texas Tech this season despite admitting to placing bets on his own team as a college player in the past.
As reported by Yahoo Sports, to many across the college sports landscape, Monday's stunning decision represented another seminal moment in a turbulent time in an industry upturned by legal decisions. It led entire conferences to consider boycotting Texas Tech as an opponent, not just in football, but all sports.
"We've had some serious conversation about it," Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor told Yahoo Sports. "There is still a lot to be discussed. We aren't scheduled to play them this year, but it's something we have to look at from a college football perspective. This is greater than the Big 12.
"It's f****** bulls***. I know the kid has a problem. Well, get well and focus on your problem. It is absolutely devastating for him to be able to play when every other sport, no matter the level, deems an athlete ineligible or they are punished severely for betting on their team."
Individual schools acted immediately, with Georgia and Nebraska already announcing that their softball programs will not play Tech, per Sports Illustrated.
According to Yahoo Sports senior college football reporter Ross Dellenger, Judge Ken Curry's ruling not only prevents the NCAA from enforcing its anti-gambling policy against Sorsby, but the judge himself delivered a two-game suspension for the quarterback as a condition of the injunction. "Suspensions are normally handed down by the NCAA, conferences and/or schools," Dellenger wrote. "The NCAA does plan to appeal the decision, according to a person with knowledge of the decision."
Related: NCAA Denies Brendan Sorsby's Reinstatement Bid, Texas Tech to Appeal
The NCAA reacted to the ruling by stating it "corrupts the integrity of sports," according to Dellenger. AL.com reported that NCAA president Charlie Baker cited the ruling as the latest reason why the NCAA needs the Protect College Sports Act.
One Big 12 athletic director, who requested anonymity, called it the "lowest point in my time in college sports" and said Texas Tech "should be ashamed of itself," per Dellenger, adding that the ramifications reach well beyond one conference.
Big Ten athletic directors and commissioner Tony Petitti are planning to discuss a league-wide ban on scheduling Texas Tech in all sports at a meeting on Wednesday, two Big Ten sources told The Athletic.
"I think there needs to be serious conversations about not playing Texas Tech," Josh Brooks, a member of the NCAA Football Oversight Committee as athletic director at SEC-member Georgia, told Yahoo Sports. "This is not about Texas Tech. It's about protecting our own locker room. We cannot in good conscience put our student-athletes on a field where the competitive integrity of the contest is compromised and overridden by the courts. If a state court wants to dictate eligibility rules, they can play themselves.
"All FBS schools should only take the field against programs operating under a uniform, trustworthy standard of fairness. We've officially reached the point of no return."
As reported by USA TODAY, Curry wrote on behalf of the District Court of Lubbock County that “Applicant has demonstrated he will suffer a probably, imminent, and irreparable injury if the court does not grant this temporary injunction because he will be unable to participate as a member of Texas Tech’s 2026 football team, including Texas Tech’s 2026 football season and:
“1. Benefit from the elite coaching, training resources, camaraderie, and regimen that only being a member of a Division I football team can provide.
“2. Build the skills necessary to maximize his own success during the college football season, as well as that of Texas Tech’s football team and each of its players, and
“3. Make an informed decision regarding whether to enter the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft.”
Court documents showed that Sorsby admitted to dozens of bets on his own team while a freshman at Indiana University but argued that he never bet against his teammates or their performances.
