Texas Attorney General Will Sue Big 12 if Sorsby is Sanctioned
David Genge Published 12/06/2026
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is ready to go to battle if Texas Tech is sanctioned in any manner over the use of embattled quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Sorsby, who has admitted to gambling on his own NCAA football team, won a temporary injunction against the NCAA earlier this week. The court order overturned a ruling by the NCAA that Sorsby would be ineligible for the 2026 football season.
Paxton's office is cautioning the Big 12 Conference that any attempt to sanction Texas Tech for respecting the court order restoring the eligibility of Sorsby would be challenged in court as an unlawful action.
Don't mess with Texas Tech
Almost immediately following Monday's ruling by Judge Ken Curry in a Lubbock, Texas court that he would grant the temporary injunction enabling Sorsby to resume his NCAA football career, the Big 12 Conference called an emergency meeting of its executive committee. Texas Tech plays in the Big 12 Conference.
The full Big 12 Board of Directors is set to meet next week. At that time, it's expected that they will vote on whether to impose sanctions against Texas Tech.
That, according to Paxton's office, will prove to be a very costly decision.
According to reporting by On3, Paxton intends to challenge any such action in court. He has informed Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark by letter of this intention.
“We are aware that the Big 12 is considering invoking Bylaw 3.6 of the Big 12’s Bylaws to sanction Texas Tech for respecting the Order and continuing its support of Mr. Sorsby as a student-athlete,” Paxton’s letter reads. “This letter serves to notify the Big 12 that any such action would be unlawful and would expose the Conference to substantial liability."
Paxton has threatened to file suit against the Big 12 for more than $200 million in damages.
"The Conference would face exposure to treble damages, including for Texas Tech’s lost football revenues, damages to its alumni contributions, and damages to its recruitment, plus attorneys’ fees," Paxton's letter continued. "The total exposure — for both the Big 12 and its members, joint and severally — will be substantially more than $200 million."
Sorsby acknowledges his massive gambling habit
Sorsby, who joined Texas Tech from Cincinnati in the 2026 transfer portal, admits to being a gambling addict.
He acknowledges placing thousands of bets totaling more than $90,000. These bets took place over four years between 2022 and 2026. Included in those wagers were 40 bets Sorsby placed on the Indiana Hoosiers football team. He placed those bets while a team member.
Following an investigation, the NCAA declared Sorsby permanently ineligible for violating their anti-gambling regulations.
Big 12 bylaws make sanctions against Texas Tech entirely possible
The Big 12 bylaws allow that a supermajority of board members can sanction another member’s athletic program. It would require the support of 12 of the league’s 15 presidents, excluding Texas Tech.
This action can be taken if the board determines that Texas Tech has “engaged in any action or a course of conduct materially adverse to the best interests of the Conference” or “otherwise taken any action or omitted to take an action” that other conference members deem merits sanctions.
A second bylaw requires that all Big 12 member schools maintain “adherence to NCAA rules.” It mandates that Big 12 programs “shall be fully committed to compliance with the rules and regulations of the NCAA."
Potential sanctions against Texas Tech could include “prohibitions on appearance in postseason events or televised events, restrictions on revenue distribution, and limitations on recruiting or scholarships.”
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