LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – The Big 12 conference is responding to recent comments made by multiple parties involved with Texas Tech, as well as Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton.
The conference’s 47-page federal complaint, filed Monday morning in the U.S. District Court Northern District of Texas Dallas Division, is against Texas Tech University, System Chancellor Brandon Creighton, University President Lawrence Schovanec, Athletics Director Kirby Hocutt, and Paxton.
The complaint is centered around whether Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby will be able to play in the 2026 season. This comes after a visiting judge granted Sorsby a temporary injunction for his eligibility earlier this month.
An NCAA investigation found Sorsby bet on his own Indiana football team in 2022; and he made approximately $90,000 in bets over the past four years, while enrolled at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech.
Texas Tech was not part of Sorsby’s lawsuit filed against the NCAA.
Paxton on Thursday warned the Big 12 Conference that the conference could face major legal liability if it moves to punish Texas Tech for continuing to support Sorsby amid his eligibility fight with the NCAA. The next day, Oklahoma Attorney General urged the conference to take action against Tech over Sorsby’s gambling violations, calling Paxton’s antitrust arguments against sanctions “meritless.”
Sorsby’s legal representation on Thursday also argued any action the conference takes against Sorsby could violate the temporary injunction granted.
The Big 12 is seeking declaratory judgement and a preliminary injunction to enable it to enforce its bylaws. This filing states the conference would request a federal judge to declare that it can sanction Texas Tech without breaking the law, and to block the State of Texas from punishing or threatening it for doing so.
The complaint also mentioned the conference was not involved in the NCAA case against Sorsby, and the case only affects NCAA enforcement, not Big 12’s separate power to sanction a school under its own bylaws.
As for sanctions mentioned in the complaint, the Big 12 states it could include withholding revenue and banning Texas Tech from participating in the conference championship game this season.
We are currently looking over the documents and will provide more updates on this developing story.
JUNE 12: Oklahoma AG says Big 12 can punish Texas Tech under bylaws
JUNE 11: Texas AG Ken Paxton warns Big 12 against sanctioning Texas Tech over Brendan Sorsby case
JUNE 11: Brendan Sorsby’s attorneys warn Big 12 against action that could violate order
JUNE 11: Texas Tech leadership declares support for Brendan Sorsby
JUNE 10: Texas Tech AD Kirby Hocutt releases statement regarding Brendan Sorsby lawsuit
JUNE 8: NCAA appeals injunction order that allows Brendan Sorsby to play college football
JUNE 8: Visiting judge grants injunction, Sorsby eligible to play college football
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