The Big 12 Conference is maintaining its active federal lawsuit against Texas Tech and quarterback Brendan Sorsby while evaluating potential liability and legal costs, according to a conference source. The board of directors plans to reconvene early next week to determine if the league will pursue further action or seek reimbursement for legal expenses following Sorsby’s admission of NCAA gambling violations and his subsequent move toward the NFL supplemental draft.
Why is the Big 12 continuing its lawsuit?
The Big 12 board of directors has opted to keep the federal lawsuit active in the Northern District of Texas because of unresolved questions regarding legal liability and the potential for retribution from the NFL, a Big 12 source told ESPN. The conference is seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief to clarify its authority to enforce internal bylaws and punish student-athletes who violate gambling policies. According to the source, the league has not yet finalized a strategy, and members remain concerned about how the case might interact with NFL protocols regarding Sorsby’s professional eligibility.
The NFL has not held a supplemental draft since 2023. The last player selected in the process was safety Jalen Thompson, who was taken by the Arizona Cardinals in 2019.
Could Texas Tech face internal penalties?
Some conference officials are exploring the possibility of holding Texas Tech accountable for the legal costs generated by this dispute. A Big 12 athletic director noted that the conversation is not necessarily about punitive measures against the university but rather about the fairness of distributing legal fees. The source questioned whether all 16 conference schools should bear the financial burden of a legal action initiated by the specific circumstances surrounding one member institution. The board intends to address these financial responsibilities during their upcoming meetings.
What is the status of Brendan Sorsby’s NFL eligibility?
Brendan Sorsby, who admitted to betting thousands of times—including 40 wagers on Indiana football games while on the roster—has withdrawn his lawsuit against the NCAA to pursue the NFL supplemental draft. To qualify for the draft, Sorsby must be declared ineligible for college play by the upcoming Monday deadline. Even if he meets this requirement, the NFL must still formally approve his application for a 2026 supplemental draft to take place this summer. Historically, the process is rare; the last quarterback to enter was Terrelle Pryor in 2011.
Pro Tip: Understanding the Supplemental Draft
The NFL supplemental draft is not a standard annual event. It is reserved for players who did not enter the main draft but whose eligibility status has changed after the deadline. If the league deems there are no qualified prospects, the draft does not occur.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Brendan Sorsby drop his lawsuit against the NCAA?
Sorsby dropped the suit to facilitate his entry into the NFL supplemental draft, which requires him to be officially ineligible for college competition by a specific deadline.
What is the Big 12 seeking in its lawsuit?
The conference is seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief to confirm its legal authority to enforce bylaws and apply sanctions related to gambling violations.
Will Texas Tech be punished?
While no formal sanctions have been issued, Big 12 sources indicate that member schools are discussing whether the university should be responsible for the legal fees incurred during the recent litigation.
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