The NCAA said no to Brendan Sorsby. A court just said yes. Here’s why

A Texas court ruled in favor of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby on June 8, granting him a temporary injunction that restores his eligibility to play in the 2026 season. The NCAA had previously declared Sorsby permanently ineligible due to violations of gambling rules after he admitted to placing thousands of bets, including on his former team, Indiana University, during his freshman season. The District Court of Lubbock County, Texas, ruled that Sorsby would suffer irreparable harm if denied participation in Texas Tech’s 2026 football team, including missing elite coaching, training, and potential NFL draft opportunities. Judge Ken Curry highlighted Sorsby’s risk of losing access to Division I football resources and the chance to develop his skills. The NCAA responded with strong criticism, calling the ruling damaging and destabilizing to college sports integrity. In a statement, the NCAA emphasized its commitment to student-athlete mental health but insisted it must defend against actions that threaten competitive fairness, such as betting on one’s own sport. Court documents revealed Sorsby placed multi-leg prop bets on Indiana University’s games and teammates during the 2022 season, though he claimed he never bet against his teammates. The NCAA argued in court filings that Sorsby only sought outpatient treatment for his gambling addiction after learning of the investigation, not voluntarily. Sorsby’s legal victory temporarily overrides the NCAA’s decision, allowing him to participate in Texas Tech’s 2026 football season while the case continues. The ruling raises broader questions about NCAA enforcement policies and athlete eligibility standards.