NCAA president Charlie Baker says Brendan Sorsby ruling has had 'downhill effects'

NCAA President Charlie Baker criticized the ripple effects of a Texas judge’s ruling in Brendan Sorsby’s case, calling it a catalyst for similar legal actions across college sports. On June 13, Baker shared a South Carolina court decision granting Clemson wide receiver Tristan Smith an injunction against the NCAA, citing Sorsby’s case as precedent. The South Carolina ruling referenced Sorsby’s argument that denying him eligibility would cause irreparable harm, including losing access to coaching, training, and NFL draft opportunities. Smith filed his lawsuit in January after the NCAA denied his request for an extra year of eligibility, despite granting waivers to other junior-college athletes. The NCAA’s blanket waiver for the 2025-26 season excluded Smith’s 2026-27 case, prompting his legal challenge under South Carolina law, which allows injunctions when plaintiffs face immediate harm and lack alternative remedies. Baker argued the Sorsby decision was not isolated, emphasizing the need for federal legislation like the Protect College Sports Act to enforce uniform eligibility rules. However, legal experts noted the Texas ruling lacks precedent outside Lubbock County, with South Carolina Judge Jessica Ann Salvini’s decision applying only to Smith’s specific circumstances. The NCAA’s eligibility waiver policy, which initially covered athletes whose careers would end without relief, now faces scrutiny as courts weigh individual cases. Baker’s warning highlights tensions between state courts and NCAA authority, raising questions about the future of college sports governance.