LUBBOCK, Texas (KCBD) – Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby is eligible to play college football in the 2026 season, according to a temporary injunction against the NCAA granted Monday morning by visiting District Court Judge Ken Curry.<\/p>\n
The NCAA had earlier ruled Sorsby ineligible, after he acknowledged he gambled on sports, including on Indiana University while Sorsby was on that school\u2019s football team. Sorsby completed a gambling rehabilitation program in late May. <\/p>\n
Judge Curry ruled in Sorsby\u2019s favor, stating he \u201chas demonstrated he will suffer a probable, imminent, and irreparable injury\u201d if the court did not issue this temporary injunction, because he will not be able to play on Texas Tech\u2019s 2026 football team. The injunction is effective immediately and will remain in effect until a final judgment is signed or until another order of the court.<\/p>\n
Curry is a retired judge from Tarrant County and Houston law school graduate. He was assigned to preside over the case, in the 99th District Court of Lubbock County, following District Court Judge Phillip Hays\u2019 recusal. One week ago, Judge Curry heard arguments in Sorsby\u2019s lawsuit against the NCAA, at the Lubbock County Courthouse. Sorsby\u2019s legal team is led by Jeffrey Kessler. The NCAA\u2019s representation is headed by Taylor Askew. <\/p>\n
The order states the NCAA may not prevent Sorsby from practicing, playing or otherwise participating on Tech\u2019s 2026 team. <\/p>\n
The judge also ordered Sorsby to not play or participate in game day activities for the first two games of Tech\u2019s 2026 season, which includes a Sept. 5 home game vs. Abilene Christian and a Sept. 12 game in Corvallis vs. Oregon State.<\/p>\n
Judge Curry\u2019s order states Sorsby has demonstrated a probable right to relief he sought on claims of breach of contract, declaratory judgment, breach of duty of good faith and fair dealing, and breach of fiduciary duty. <\/p>\n
Other orders for Sorsby:<\/p>\n
Must continue clinical gambling counseling, focusing on relapse prevention.Participate in peer support through Gamblers Anonymous or a comparable mutual air communityBegin and continue treatment for Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety, addressing the underlying anxiety that served as the cause of Sorsby\u2019s gambling behaviorBegin and continue in athlete-specific recovery resources and mentorshipDeliver a monthly, confidential report to the NCAA detailing compliance with these orders<\/p>\n
Arguments made in court<\/p>\n
According to court documents filed by the NCAA, Sorsby placed thousands of sports bets from 2022 to 2026 while at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech. The NCAA\u2019s filings state Sorsby bet on college sports, including on Indiana football: his own team and bets on the performance of his teammates.<\/p>\n
The NCAA says Sorsby later moved to other people\u2019s accounts and apps to place bets, including after transferring to Texas Tech, where online sports betting is illegal under Texas law.<\/p>\n
Attorney Jeffrey Kessler said at the June 1 hearing this temporary injunction should be granted because the NCAA failed to uphold its reinstatement process. Kessler cited the NCAA constitution and bylaws, including Article 1 Section D, which states student athlete well-being is designed to protect their physical and mental health.<\/p>\n
\u201cMental health of the athlete is the main focus here,\u201d Kessler said. \u201cWe have Sorsby, who has been diagnosed with a mental health addiction, he should be supported here.\u201dKessler said Sorsby did not engage in betting activities that threaten the integrity of any games.<\/p>\n
In the June 1 hearing, Askew rejected Kessler\u2019s claims that the NCAA does not care about the mental health of student athletes. The NCAA\u2019s legal team described this as a Hail Mary attempt to try to get reinstated. <\/a><\/p>\n Askew said even if Sorsby placed only one bet on Indiana football in 2022, he would still be in violation. Askew also said Sorsby should\u2019ve never been allowed to transfer, because he was already breaking the NCAA\u2019s rules.<\/p>\n The NCAA a few days ago rejected Texas Tech\u2019s appeal<\/a> to reinstate Sorsby. However, this action was separate from Sorsby\u2019s lawsuit filed against the NCAA. <\/p>\n Reaction<\/p>\n The NCAA issued this statement Monday morning, following the ruling: <\/p>\n \u201cThe NCAA strongly disagrees with the court\u2019s ruling in Sorsby\u2019s case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome \u2014 which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports. The NCAA is committed to supporting student-athlete mental health but must continue to aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity, such as betting on one\u2019s own sport.\u201d<\/p>\n KCBD has contacted Texas Tech Athletics and representation for Sorsby, seeking comment. <\/p>\n RELATED JUNE 1: Judge hears arguments on Brendan Sorsby\u2019s request to play this upcoming football season<\/a><\/p>\n MAY 21: New judge selected for Sorsby v. NCAA, temporary injunction hearing set<\/a><\/p>\n