Big 12 warned of legal fallout over Sorsby ban circumvention

Legal Threats Against the Big 12 Conference

The legal standoff centers on an injunction granted after Brendan Sorsby challenged his permanent ban by the NCAA. The ban stemmed from Sorsby’s admission that he bet at least $90,000 on sports, including games involving his former team, the Indiana Hoosiers, during the 2022 season, according to reporting by MS NOW. In a letter addressed to the Big 12, attorney Jeffrey Kessler emphasized that the conference is legally bound by the court order as an entity acting “in active concert or participation” with the NCAA. Kessler cautioned that any move to sanction Texas Tech, or to facilitate a boycott of the school by other member institutions, would violate the court’s mandate. “Any such action would also expose the Big 12 to liability for tortious interference with Mr. Sorsby’s existing and prospective contractual relations, including name, image and likeness deals with Texas Tech and third parties. The Big 12 would be liable for all resulting damages.”Jeffrey Kessler, attorney for Brendan Sorsby, via NBC Sports

Texas Tech’s Stance on Potential Boycotts

Texas Tech Board of Regents chair Cody Campbell has adopted an aggressive posture regarding the school’s future in the Big 12. Campbell stated that the university is prepared to initiate legal action if other schools or conferences collude to refuse competition against the Red Raiders. According to The New York Times, memos obtained from Georgia and Nebraska indicate those schools have already instructed their coaching staffs not to schedule Texas Tech in any sport. Campbell dismissed these actions as illegal on the show “Don’t @ Me with Dan Dakich.” “I love when the Big Ten or the K-State AD comes out and says we’ve all gotten together and we’ve talked about how we’re not going to play Tech, because guess what? That’s collusion. That’s an antitrust violation. So have fun with that one, guys. You can’t do that.”Cody Campbell, Texas Tech Board of Regents chair, via The New York Times

Internal Big 12 Deliberations

While public rhetoric remains heated, the internal position of the Big 12 remains focused on reviewing legal options. Commissioner Brett Yormark held a conference call with athletic directors on Tuesday to discuss the situation. Sources cited by The New York Times indicate that while the league is examining its standing, no formal penalties—such as a postseason ban or a specific suspension for Sorsby—have been officially adopted. The tension is exacerbated by the perception that Texas Tech is being targeted for its competitiveness. Campbell explicitly suggested that the pushback is driven by rival schools wanting to increase their own odds of winning the conference. “Of course ADs in the Big 12 are saying crazy things that they don’t want to play us. They don’t want to play us because they know he’s good and they don’t want us to be as competitive. They want to have a better chance at winning the conference. So they’re inherently conflicted in their opinion.”Cody Campbell, Texas Tech Board of Regents chair, via The New York Times

Conflicting Perspectives on the Injunction

The court’s decision to grant the temporary injunction has drawn sharp criticism from sports analysts. While the judge ruled that Sorsby faced “probable, imminent and irreparable injury” to his career, some observers argue the severity of the gambling violations warrants a permanent exclusion from the sport. MS NOW reported that Sorsby’s case is viewed by some critics as more significant than past high-profile NCAA scandals, such as those involving Reggie Bush in 2010 or Terrelle Pryor. Despite these comparisons, the legal reality remains that Sorsby is currently eligible to play for the 2026 season. As Kessler noted in his letter, the court concluded that Sorsby “has demonstrated a probable right to the relief he seeks,” placing the burden of compliance squarely on the Big 12 and its member schools to avoid further litigation.

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