Texas Tech threatening to sue Big 12, other conferences over potential schedule removals

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After the college football world witnessed the controversial Texas court ruling in the Brendan Sorsby eligibility case, chaos quickly followed. The Texas Tech Red Raiders quarterback’s legal victory opened a can of worms few ever expected to see. Endless questions and possibilities now threaten the integrity of college athletics.

The Big 12 reportedly held emergency meetings after Nebraska and Georgia instructed their athletic departments to remove Texas Tech from future scheduling considerations. The conference has also discussed taking similar action for the 2026 season if Sorsby remains on the roster. Now, Texas Tech is threatening legal action in response.

MORE: Every college football program should follow Big 12, remove Texas Tech from scheduling

According to On3, sources close to the Texas Tech athletic department say the school has warned the Big 12 and other conferences that it is prepared to sue. Texas Tech certainly has deep pockets, but this development is absurd. No one is forcing the school to keep Sorsby on the roster. It could release him, suspend him until the legal process concludes, or impose a punishment far more severe than a two-game suspension.

Texas Tech’s public relations strategy could hardly be going worse. Multiple boosters and football coaches have offered baffling explanations throughout the controversy, and Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt only added to the criticism. His recent statement stretched nearly 800 words without demonstrating much accountability.

To be clear, no one is blaming Texas Tech for recruiting Sorsby. Based on current reporting, the school was unaware of his gambling activities until authorities uncovered them this spring. Likewise, no one is criticizing the university for supporting his rehabilitation efforts.

However, Texas Tech appealed to the NCAA on Sorsby’s behalf in an effort to preserve his eligibility. The school continues to keep him on the roster. It could have delivered a much harsher reality: trust must be earned, and actions have consequences. Instead, Texas Tech backed him with a reported $5 million NIL deal and has repeatedly defended his situation.

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Texas Tech is not fooling anyone. The university has shown little willingness to demonstrate accountability or acknowledge the broader implications of this case. Sorsby should not play a down for the Red Raiders. Even if he remains on the roster, he should not see the field. Yet Texas Tech continues searching for ways to justify putting him there.

Ultimately, the responsibility may fall to the Big 12 and other conferences to take action. Significant television and broadcasting revenue is at stake, but the sport also faces a larger question about standards and accountability.

The message should be simple: have the courage to do what is right and keep Sorsby off the field.

In addiction recovery, shielding someone from the consequences of their actions rarely promotes growth or accountability. More often, it enables the behavior that created the problem in the first place.

Texas Tech is not helping Sorsby by helping him avoid the consequences of his decisions. It is enabling him.

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