Big 12 Keeps Federal Lawsuit Active as Brendan Sorsby Leaves Texas Tech for NFL

Overview

• The Big 12 filed a federal complaint on June 15 seeking a court declaration that it can enforce conference bylaws and punish Texas Tech, and the suit remains active even after the player’s departure.
• Brendan Sorsby dropped his legal fight with the NCAA, parted ways with Texas Tech, and filed for the 2026 NFL supplemental draft after a Texas court briefly restored his eligibility.
• Sorsby admitted to placing roughly $90,000 in impermissible wagers during his college career, the NCAA had ruled him permanently ineligible, and a local injunction would have allowed him to play after a two-game suspension.
• NFL teams have accelerated evaluations of Sorsby, with all 32 clubs expected at his July 10 pro day and draft analysts giving mixed grades that range from roughly the second to fourth round, while any supplemental selection would cost the winning team a corresponding pick in next year’s draft.
• The dispute has practical and reputational fallout: several schools canceled or boycotted Texas Tech matchups, Big 12 athletic directors are weighing sanctions or recovery of legal fees, and the case could set new precedent on how courts, conferences, and the NCAA handle betting violations and treatment claims.