Former Bearcats QB Brendan Sorsby says gambling got 'out of control'

Former University of Cincinnati quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s legal team filed for an injunction in Lubbock, Texas, on May 18 to allow him to play football for Texas Tech in 2026 despite an ongoing NCAA investigation into his gambling history. Sorsby admitted in court documents to betting on Indiana football games in 2022 and other unspecified sports while at Cincinnati, including Turkish basketball, Romanian soccer, and even the Nathan’s Famous Hot Dog Eating Contest. The NCAA prohibits betting on its sanctioned sports, though gambling on non-NCAA events like MMA or horse racing is permitted. Sorsby’s filings state he never bet on UC football games or shared nonpublic team information for betting purposes during the 2024 or 2025 seasons. However, he acknowledged placing thousands of bets on various events, describing his gambling as spiraling out of control at times. Sorsby voluntarily entered a 30-day rehabilitation program in April to address his gambling addiction, which he described as an issue requiring treatment. His attorneys argued in court that the NCAA would suffer no harm by allowing him to play while the case proceeds, while Sorsby risks losing his eligibility if the judge does not intervene. Texas Tech officials have not publicly commented on Sorsby’s legal battle, though he participated in the team’s spring game on April 17 after transferring from UC in January. The university maintains it had no knowledge of Sorsby’s alleged gambling activities during his time there. The NCAA’s investigation centers on whether Sorsby violated its gambling policies, which ban betting on sports it governs. Sorsby’s legal team highlighted the NCAA’s own ties to gambling, citing its provision of sports data to betting companies, as part of their argument for lifting restrictions on his participation.