In a statement<\/a>, the NCAA said it \u201cstrongly disagrees\u201d with the court\u2019s ruling and is \u201cdeeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome\u00a0\u2014 which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports.\u201d<\/p>\n\u201cThe 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 the NCAA said.<\/p>\n
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Sorsby, 22, was ruled ineligible by the NCAA in April and later had a request for reinstatement denied. He filed suit May 18 as he underwent a 35-day resident treatment program for gambling addiction and anxiety disorder.<\/p>\n
As part of documents provided by Sorsby and Texas Tech submitted to the NCAA, the fifth-year senior placed about $90,000 in impermissible wagers on professional and college sports during his time at Indiana, Cincinnati and Texas Tech. He made 40 bets while a freshman at Indiana in 2022, though none included any games he played in with the Hoosiers.<\/p>\n
Sorsby used accounts registered in his name and those of family members and friends to place the impermissible wagers through Hard Rock Bet, FanDuel, Underdog and PrizePicks accounts.<\/p>\n
Sorsby placed bets on everything from Indiana football, Romanian soccer, Turkish basketball, tennis and the Nathan\u2019s Hot Dog Eating Contest.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt became a habit for me to bet,\u201d Sorsby wrote in a statement to the NCAA. \u201cMy betting became a compulsion which made it virtually impossible to resist the constant notifications I received from betting apps. I lost complete control of my addiction. I now realize the apps controlled me and I did not control them.\u201d<\/p>\n
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The NCAA said it received a tip of Sorsby\u2019s gambling from a sportsbook after it had been informed by law enforcement.<\/p>\n
In a court filing, the NCAA noted there is \u201ca clear, bright-like rule prohibiting student-athletes from any form of wagering on sports in which the NCAA sponsors a championship event.\u201d<\/p>\n
The injunction comes with conditions that Sorsby must continue to take part in individual clinical counseling for his gambling and participate in peer support through Gamblers Anonymous or a similar group.<\/p>\n
One of the top players in the transfer portal this offseason, Sorsby joined the Red Raiders on a multimillion-dollar deal to play his final season of college football. He played the past two seasons at Cincinnati.<\/p>\n
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Texas Tech is coming off the program\u2019s first Big 12 championship and appearance in the College Football Playoff.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs we have said before, we do not believe that the circumstances of Brendan\u2019s case warranted permanent ineligibility,\u201d Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt said in a statement. \u201cAs he returns to our football program, we remain committed to supporting Brendan\u2019s recovery and ensuring his compliance with the court\u2019s order. A comprehensive support structure, including clinical care, monitoring, and compliance checks, will remain fully in place for the duration of Brendan\u2019s role as a student at Texas Tech.\u201d<\/p>\n
Big 12 commissioner Brett Yorark said he\u2019s scheduled a meeting with the conference\u2019s athletic directors and executive board this week.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe ramifications of today\u2019s ruling are significant and could have broad impacts across college athletics, creating great concern amongst our membership,\u201d Yormark said. \u201cI\u2019ve been consulting with our key stakeholders. \u2026 We will continue to monitor and evaluate the situation.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n
Some Big 12 schools have discussed whether to play the Red Raiders this season, according to Yahoo Sports.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt\u2019s f\u2014 b\u2014,\u201d Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor told the website. \u201cI know the kid has a problem. Well, get well and focus on your problem. It is absolutely devastating for him to be able to play when every other sport, no matter the level, deems an athlete ineligible or they are punished severely for betting on their team.\u201d<\/p>\n
Houston athletic director Eddie Nu\u00f1ez was on vacation in Italy and unavailable for comment.<\/p>\n
David Williams, UH\u2019s senior deputy athletics director, said the school would not specifically comment on Sorsby or Texas Tech but that the situation \u201cshines a light on the fact there needs to be legally defensible rules in college athletics.\u201d<\/p>\n