Big 12 files against Texas Tech seeking court approval to approve Brendan Sorsby

The Big 12 Conference wants to approve Texas Tech’s intent to play Brendan Sorsby this coming season, and is asking a court in the Northern District of Texas to clear the way for its fines to continue.

In a lawsuit filed Monday morning in the northern state of Texas, the conference took direct aim at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt and others involved in the legal battle that led to a local judge giving Sorsby an order and restoring his eligibility for the upcoming season.

TEXAS AG THREATS LEGAL FIGHT AGAINST BIG 12 OVER BRENDAN SORSBY’S POTENTIAL ATTACKS

All of this intensified last week, when Paxton, along with attorneys representing Texas Tech, released a statement saying both sides would sue the Big 12 conference if they were to sanction the school in compliance with a judge’s order to allow Sorsby to play.

During meetings with athletic directors and the executive committee over the past five days, the Big 12 has made it clear that it is looking at possible ways to punish Texas Tech.

The problem was that the school, or Sorsby, would immediately file a lawsuit in court in the hope that another order would be issued.

The Big 12 wants to punish a member school for playing Brendan Sorsby

What would these potential penalties against Texas Tech look like?

It could be “Prohibition from appearing in postseason events or televised events” (such as conference championships) and “restrictions on revenue distribution”, which is just an example given by the Big 12 conference.

COLLEGE QUARTERBACK WHO BETTED ON HIS TEAM ALLOWED TO PLAY THROUGH LANDMARK, NCAA FILES IN COURT.

Officials also discussed Sorsby’s ineligible decision, which would mean every game he plays for Texas Tech will technically be a turnover against the opposing team.

“Within a week prior to filing this Complaint, TTU contacted the Conference directly to include Sorsby in Conference football games. Although TTU has been requested by the Conference and numerous University Presidents, Athletic Directors, and other representatives of Big 12 Member Institutions to choose not to include Sorsby in Conference games, TTU has not acceded to such requests,” reads the complaint.

In their calls last week, Big 12 officials asked Texas Tech not to force them into this step of filing a complaint against them, by not playing Sorsby this season and complying with the NCAA’s decision.

“In an industry that rarely agrees on anything, finally there is an issue that everyone seems to agree on [other than TTU and the Attorney General]: universities should not expel players who bet on their team’s games from college athletics,” the complaint reads.

Future Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby screams during the first half of the game between the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Red Raiders at United Supermarkets Arena in Lubbock, Texas, on Jan. 24, 2026. (John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

Apparently, that fell on deaf ears, leading to a very uncomfortable 22-minute video last week from Texas Tech executives discussing why they’re standing by Sorsby.

In their reflection on their stance on Sorsby and gambling, Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec tried to clarify the point that the NCAA rules were outdated, and that millions of students have access to applications that allow betting.

“I think we should be aware of the current laws that were made long before there were millions of young people walking around with legal gambling machines in their pockets”

Judging by the responses on social media, that argument didn’t sit well with many college football fans across the country.

The conference wants the support of a judge who will punish the Red Raiders

Why does the Big 12 feel that these actions from Texas Tech warrant punishment? It all boils down to the thousands of bets Sorsby has placed over the past four years, including bets on his team while in Indiana, as well as Hoosiers’ basketball and Cincinnati hoops.

“When a Member Institution allows a student-athlete who conducts himself in a manner that creates serious integrity concerns to compete in Conference sports, the consequences extend beyond that institution,” the complaint reads.

Texas Tech’s Brendan Sorsby looks on during the spring football game at Jones AT&T Stadium on April 17, 2026. (© Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images)

In fact, the Big 12 filed this lawsuit against Texas Tech to be given real power to punish the school if it ends up playing Sorsby.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE FOX NEWS PROGRAM

Congress just wants a judge to say it’s okay, and give them an order to do so.

Now, we’re waiting for another Texas judge to decide where the saga goes from here, but it’s clear the Big 12 conference is ready to approve the Texas Tech program.