A Texas judge Monday issued a surprising ruling, granting Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby a temporary injunction against the NCAA, which could allow him to play for the Red Raiders this season. But the decision could prove hollow, as the NCAA is expected to appeal, and that process would likely bleed into or past the end of the season.
Sorsby will miss the first two games of the season either way, after his attorneys proposed a two-game suspension following the revelation that he violated NCAA rules by betting on college sports. Sorsby in April checked himself into a residential gambling treatment program.
Judge Ken Curry determined that Sorsby — an NFL prospect — would suffer “irreparable harm” if he was unable to play this season. Texas Tech is Sorsby’s third school; he transferred last fall after playing two seasons at Cincinnati and two at Indiana.
Texas Tech appealed to the NCAA on Friday to allow Sorsby to play, ESPN reported, and Monday, the association released a statement in response to the court decision:
“The NCAA strongly disagrees with the court’s ruling in Sorsby’s case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching, and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome — which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports.”
NCAA President Charlie Baker also took to social media to reiterate his stance that “targeted intervention from Congress” is needed to stem issues around illegal sports betting. Sorsby is accused of wagering $90,000 over a four-year period, including betting on Indiana football games while he was at the school. Sports betting is legal in Indiana, but Sorsby would have been under the legal age in his freshman year, therefore violating state law in addition to NCAA and university rules.
Judge: Here’s what Sorsby would miss
In his ruling, Curry outlined what he believes Sorsby would be denied if he is not allowed to play:
1) Benefit from elite coaching, training resources, camaraderie, and regimen that only being a member of a Division I college 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.
Curry went on to write that Sorsby “demonstrated that the balance of equities is in [Sorsby’s] favor because of the hardship he would face in the absence of a temporary injunction.”
There are conditions to the injunction — Sorsby must “commence and continue” one-on-one counseling for gambling disorder, attend Gamblers Anonymous, and get treatment for “Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety.” In addition, Sorsby must provide the NCAA with a monthly confidential report regarding his “compliance” with the conditions.
Porter was denied chance to play in Greece
Social media reaction to the ruling Monday seemed to lean toward surprise. The decision is the first by a judge in any of the recent betting scandals that would allow a player to play. Former NBA player Jontay Porter, who is awaiting sentencing in a far-reaching sports betting scandal, asked a New York federal judge in 2024 to revise his conditions of release so he could play in pro basketball in Greece. The request was denied, and the judge was not moved by Porter’s arguments that he had a short window during which he could play professionally and that he has a family to support.
Porter played this spring in the USBL, and his Seattle Superhawks team won the regular season with a 20-1 record.
Sorsby previously admitted to continuing to sports bet after transferring to Texas Tech in January. Sports betting is not legal in Texas. The university was made aware of the allegations in April, after the NCAA learned of them in March. Sorsby has since completed a 35-day in-patient program for gambling and anxiety disorder.
Texas Tech is set to open its season Sept. 5 against Abilene Christian. Sorsby will miss that game and the Sept. 12 matchup against Oregon State no matter how the case plays out.
