Congratulations to former Indiana quarterback Brendan Sorsby.
No, not for his shameful victory in a Texas court that will ostensibly allow him to play college football in 2026.
Rather, congrats to Sorsby for finding the one issue that has near universal backing from fans and the media in support of the NCAA — save for some intellectually dishonest Texas Tech fans.
Just how egregiously must one behave to rally sports fans and the media behind the NCAA?
By his own admission, Sorsby placed thousands of bets totaling at least $90,000 in clear violation of NCAA rules, including dozens involving his own Indiana team, and at least two against his own team. But that’s not even the worst part.
After threatening the integrity of the sport he claims to love by betting on his own team, Sorsby gave college football the middle finger by obtaining a temporary injunction that prevents the NCAA from banning him for the 2026 season. And if he sees the field for Texas Tech in 2026, he will have created an existential crisis.
On Monday Lubbock County, Texas Judge Ken Curry granted Sorsby the temporary injunction that will likely have the effect of allowing him to play in 2026.
In granting the temporary injunction, Curry wrote the following on behalf of the court:
“Applicant has demonstrated he will suffer a probable, imminent, and irreparable injury if the court does not grant this temporary injunction because he will be unable to participate as a member of Texas Tech’s 2026 football team, including Texas Tech’s 2026 football season and:
“1. Benefit from the elite coaching, training resources, camaraderie, and regimen that only being a member of a Division I football team can provide.
“2. Build the skills necessary to maximize his own success during the college football season, as well as that of Texas Tech’s football team and each of its players, and
“3. Make an informed decision regarding whether to enter the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft.”
Sorsby could play this season in the UFL, CFL, NFL or any other FL who will take him, so the judge’s first and second points are irrelevant. And it’s at this point we should remind you all of those leagues, and every other sports organization on the planet, prohibit athletes from gambling within said leagues.
And the judge’s third point makes absolutely no sense, as the 2026 college football season is after the 2026 NFL Supplemental Draft.
What we really have here is a calculated legal ploy. Nothing more, nothing less. Sorsby and his attorneys know the legal process will take months to play out, with no decisions reached until long after the 2026 college football season ends. And they know the NCAA is a feckless shell of a governing body with no real ability or will to enforce much of anything these days.
So Sorsby will get to play his final season of eligibility, get his full multi-million dollar NIL deal, and the ultimate legal verdict will become moot.
But what about the impact on college sports writ large?
If Brendan Sorsby plays for Texas Tech in 2026, every college athlete who has considered gambling on NCAA sports, but was too fearful of the banned-for-life consequences, will edge closer to crossing that line. And many will cross it. And the more that line is crossed, the less faith any of us will have the competition we are watching is authentic. If the competitive integrity of the sport dies, we’re done here.
What other impermissible actions will we see more of if Sorsby plays? Will athletes considering performance enhancing drugs now feel more or less emboldened to cross the line? Will suspensions for targeting or off-the-field violations be nullified by the courts?
Sorsby has a gambling addiction, and he released a statement Monday indicating he hoped to use his situation to help others going forward. Just like if he had an alcohol or drug addiction, we hope Sorsby gets the help he needs and fully recovers.
But it’s at this point we should point out his gambling addiction is wholly irrelevant as it relates to whether he should be allowed to play college football in 2026. Moreover, how will his situation help anyone with a gambling problem learn about the potential negative consequences — when there have been none for Sorsby? Addicts love to rationalize their behavior, and Sorsby is adding fuel to that fire. After all, he has gambled with his eligibility — and won.
In a statement last week, after exiting treatment for his gambling addiction, Sorsby said he was sorry to anyone he had disappointed. The irony, of course, is if Sorsby truly had remorse for his actions, he’d walk away rather than risk potentially serving as a catalyst for the demise of the sport he claims to love.
Since the NCAA won’t be able to do anything to fend of Sorsby’s legal slight of hand, real justice might be left to the rest of us.
What options do we have?
Already there are reports Big 12 Conference leaders are considering not playing Texas Tech this season.
What else could be done?
Opposing teams should refuse to take the field if Sorsby is on it. Referees should refuse to officiate the games he plays in. Writers and announcers should refuse to publish or state his name, and videographers and photographers should refuse to capture his image. I’m sure there are better ideas than these.
It all sounds extreme, but not nearly as extreme as Sorsby’s blatant disregard for the integrity of these games we love. After all, his actions threaten everyone whose livelihood is tied to college sports.
The judge said Sorsby will “suffer a probable, imminent and irreparable injury” if he cannot play in 2026.
But on this day, by allowing Sorsby to play, it was college sports that may have suffered that very fate.
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