A lawsuit has been filed against Texas Tech University and Attorney General Ken Paxton connected to the school’s plan to play quarterback Brendon Sorsby.
According to court documents, the Big 12 Conference filed the federal complaint against Paxton, TTU, the TTU System, Chancellor Brandon Creighton and TTU President Lawrence Schovanec in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Texas.
The complaint centered on a dispute over whether the Big 12 can sanction Texas Tech if the school lets Sorsby play after previously placing more than $90,000 in wagers and at least 40 bets on his own team while he was a freshman at Indi- ana.
NCAA rules (Bylaw 10.3) strictly prohibit all student- athletes, coaches and athletics staff from wagering on any sport sponsored by the NCAA. This includes betting on both college and professional events, participating in fantasy leagues with entry fees and sharing inside information with bettors.
On June 8, Judge Ken Curry granted a temporary injunction allowing Sorsby to play in 2026, blocking the NCAA from enforcing restrictions that would sideline him.
The Big 12 asked a federal judge to issue a declaratory judgment confirming it has the legal right to impose sanctions on Texas Tech which could include financial penalties or banning the school from postseason play. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond called on the Big 12 Conference to suspend Brendan Sorsby after the Texas Tech quarterback won a court order that restored his eligibility and set aside a ban by the NCAA for gambling on pro and college sports.
The complaint noted Paxton’s warning to the Big 12 on June 11, threatening legal action if the conference sanctions Texas Tech and said Judge Curry does not affect its own authority to discipline member schools of the conference. The Big 12 said it is a private association with the right to govern its members and enforce standards through agreed upon rules.