Texas Attorney General Warns Big 12 Against Sanctioning Texas Tech for Quarterback’s Court-Allowed Play

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton sent a letter to the Big 12 Conference warning that any sanctions against Texas Tech for allowing quarterback Brendan Sorsby to play would be unlawful and could expose the conference to substantial liability. 6, which could force Texas Tech to forfeit games in which Sorsby participates and bar the school from competing for a conference championship.

Paxton’s office said any such action would amount to a “naked horizontal agreement” violating federal and state antitrust laws, with potential damages exceeding $200 million.

“Texas Tech is confident the Big 12 will choose to act within the confines of the law and respect both the judicial process and its own Rules and Bylaws,” the letter states. ” The dispute follows a temporary injunction issued Monday in Texas state court that prevents the NCAA from enforcing a ban on Sorsby.

District Court Judge Ken Curry ruled that Sorsby “has demonstrated he will suffer a probable, imminent, and irreparable injury” if he could not participate in the upcoming season.

The order allows Sorsby to play for Texas Tech during the 2026 season while litigation continues, but bars him from Texas Tech’s first two games. Sorsby, 22, admitted to placing more than 9,000 wagers totaling at least $90,000 during his college career.

The bets included at least 40 wagers worth approximately $850 involving Indiana football between September and October 2022 while he was a member of the Hoosiers program.

NCAA rules call for permanent ineligibility when a player wagers on their own team.