Big 12 keeps federal lawsuit active in Brendan Sorsby eligibility dispute

The Big 12 Conference has not withdrawn its federal lawsuit tied to Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby, keeping the case active as league officials review their options. The conference filed the suit on Monday in the U.S.

District Court for the Northern District of Texas, seeking a declaratory judgment and injunctive relief. Officials said the action is aimed at clarifying whether the league can apply its own bylaws in the matter.

The case remains on the court’s docket while the conference considers its next steps.

Conference leaders are expected to hold a call early next week to discuss how the situation could affect league governance and any potential legal exposure connected to enforcing conference rules, officials familiar with the plan said. The Big 12 has not announced a penalty for Sorsby and has not communicated any final decision publicly.

At the center of the dispute is whether the Big 12 can use its bylaws to potentially sanction Sorsby after violations of NCAA gambling rules that he has acknowledged. The lawsuit asks the court to provide guidance on the scope of the conference’s authority.

Gambling admissions and the NFL supplemental draft timeline

Sorsby has acknowledged violating NCAA rules by placing thousands of bets, including 40 wagers on Indiana football while he was on that team’s roster. He initially sued the NCAA, then withdrew that lawsuit and applied for the NFL supplemental draft. Officials said he would need to be declared ineligible in college by Monday to be eligible to enter the supplemental draft process.

The NFL would still need to approve Sorsby’s application for a 2026 supplemental draft, which would take place later this summer. The NFL has not held a supplemental draft since 2023, and no player has been selected in one since 2019. The last quarterback to enter the supplemental draft was Terrelle Pryor in 2011.

Cost-sharing questions and possible implications for Texas Tech

Big 12 officials have also discussed whether Texas Tech should bear some responsibility for legal costs generated by the dispute. Some leaders have questioned whether it is appropriate for all 16 member schools to share those expenses when they did not initiate the legal action that led to the current court fight. The conference has not announced any decision on how costs would be handled.

The Big 12 is expected to revisit the case on its planned call early next week, with Sorsby’s NFL application status and any college-eligibility determination likely to shape how the conference proceeds. The outcome could influence how the league approaches enforcement of its bylaws in similar situations going forward.