Overview
- Federal Election Commission filings show Texas Tech Board of Regents chair Cody Campbell gave $274,300 to Paxton Victory on June 10, a fact first reported by multiple outlets on July 16.
- On June 11, the Texas attorney general's office sent a letter to the Big 12 saying sanctions against Texas Tech for fielding quarterback Brendan Sorsby would be unlawful and could expose the conference to about $200 million in treble damages and fees.
- Reporters asked whether Campbell's gift and Paxton's letter were linked; Campbell declined to comment and Paxton's campaign did not respond to questions about any connection.
- The episode grew out of Sorsby's admission that he placed thousands of improper bets, the NCAA's ruling of ineligibility, a temporary state-court injunction, and Sorsby's later withdrawal of his suit as he sought NFL entry after the league declined a 2026 supplemental draft.
- The Big 12 has filed a federal suit seeking a declaratory judgment against Paxton and Texas Tech, and the case could determine how courts weigh conference rules, state intervention, donor influence, and enforcement of college-sports gambling rules.