Texas Tech quarterback seeks injunction against NCAA gambling ban
Court documents reveal Brendan Sorsby placed over $90,000 in bets on Indiana University, prompting a challenge to the NCAA’s zero-tolerance policy.
Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has filed an injunction against the National Collegiate Athletic Association to retain his eligibility for the 2026 season, following an indefinite leave of absence due to a gambling addiction. Court documents obtained by ESPN reveal that Sorsby placed at least 40 bets on Indiana University, his former team, totalling approximately $90,000 over four years. The wagers were funneled through family members and friends who placed the bets on his behalf.
Sorsby’s legal team, led by Jeffrey Kessler, argues that his gambling behaviour stems from a clinically diagnosed mental health condition. In the injunction, the legal team contends that the NCAA has weaponised this condition to maintain a facade of competitive integrity while simultaneously profiting from the gambling ecosystem it polices. The filing asserts that the NCAA’s current stance is inconsistent with its stated mission to foster student-athletes’ lifelong well-being.
The legal challenge follows the NCAA’s recent denial of Sorsby’s reinstatement request. Texas Tech president Lawrence Schovanec publicly supported Sorsby’s position, stating that the university believes the NCAA’s ruling should be reversed or modified given the facts of the case. Schovanec highlighted that gambling addiction is rising to epidemic levels among college-aged men, particularly as sports betting becomes legal and proliferates across the country.
Under current NCAA rules, wagering more than $800 on professional sports results in a 30 per cent loss of season eligibility. However, the association maintains a zero-tolerance policy for betting on college sports. Players who bet on their own team or games involving other teams within their athletic department face permanent loss of eligibility. This strict framework was reinforced in November when the NCAA denied a proposal that would have permitted athletes to wager on professional sports.
A hearing on the injunction is scheduled for Monday, June 1, in a Lubbock, Texas district court. Sorsby and his legal team are aiming for a resolution before the June 22 declaration deadline for the NFL Supplemental Draft, which could impact his professional prospects regardless of the court's decision.
