Big 12 Files Federal Complaint Against Texas Tech Over Sorsby's Playing Eligibility

The Big 12 Conference escalated its dispute with Texas Tech over quarterback Brendan Sorsby by filing a 47-page federal complaint Monday morning, seeking the court's permission to sanction the university without legal interference from state authorities. The complaint, lodged in U.S. District Court in Dallas, names Texas Tech University, its system chancellor, university president, athletics director, and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton as defendants. The core dispute centers on whether Sorsby will be permitted to play during the upcoming season, following an NCAA investigation that revealed his betting activity.

The Central Issue

Sorsby admitted to placing bets on his own Indiana football team in 2022, and NCAA investigators documented approximately $90,000 in total wagers made during his enrollment at Indiana, Cincinnati, and Texas Tech over a four-year period. A state judge granted Sorsby a temporary injunction protecting his eligibility, but the Big 12 contends it possesses independent authority to enforce conference bylaws separate from NCAA jurisdiction. The conference is not challenging the state court's ruling on eligibility; instead, it seeks a federal declaration that it can sanction Texas Tech without violating antitrust law.

Political and Legal Conflict

The situation intensified when Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned the Big 12 that sanctioning Texas Tech would expose the conference to significant legal liability under antitrust statutes. Paxton characterized potential conference penalties as illegal restraints on trade. His letter prompted the Big 12's federal filing, though it was quickly contradicted by Oklahoma's Attorney General, who urged the conference to enforce disciplinary measures and dismissed Paxton's antitrust arguments as unfounded. Sorsby's legal representatives simultaneously argued that any conference action could violate the temporary injunction already granted by the state court.

Potential Sanctions

The Big 12 has not yet voted on sanctions but indicated potential measures under its bylaws, which could include withholding conference revenue and barring Texas Tech from competing in the Big 12 Championship Game during the current season. Conference officials and presidents from other member schools have requested that Texas Tech refrain from playing Sorsby, but the university has declined to commit to that position. The complaint emphasizes the conference's concern about reputational harm and damage to public trust in league governance if a player with documented gambling violations participates in competition.