A courtroom in Lubbock opened Monday for a hearing that will decide whether Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby can remain on the field while his lawsuit against the NCAA moves forward. Judge Ken Curry presides over the case in the 99th District Court of Lubbock County, where the quarterback’s eligibility and future in college football hang in the balance.
The NCAA has ruled Sorsby permanently ineligible after determining he placed thousands of sports wagers from 2022 through 2026, including bets on his own team and on games involving teammates. Investigators say the betting spanned his stints at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech, with authorities alleging he used third‑party accounts to place the bets — a practice that is illegal under Texas law.
Legal and health implications
Sorsby, who completed a gambling‑rehabilitation program last week and has been diagnosed with a gambling disorder and anxiety, filed a request for an injunction to stay his suspension. His attorney, Jeffrey Kessler, argued that the NCAA failed to follow its own reinstatement procedures and that the quarterback’s mental‑health condition should have been a central factor in the decision.
Kessler cited the NCAA constitution and bylaws, emphasizing student‑athlete well‑being, and contended that Sorsby never wagered on a game in which he actually participated, nor did he provide any betting advantage to others. He also pointed out that the league did not consult a mental‑health professional before imposing the sanction.
If the judge denies the injunction, Sorsby could see his college eligibility exhausted and might become eligible for the NFL’s supplemental draft later this year. The case has drawn attention for its intersection of sports governance, legal procedural fairness and the growing dialogue around athletes’ mental‑health support.
The proceedings are ongoing, and the courtroom will continue to hear arguments as the quarterback’s legal team seeks to overturn a penalty that they say was both procedurally flawed and insensitive to his diagnosed condition.