Big Ten to discuss league-wide mandate to not play Texas Tech after Brendan Sorsby ruling

The fallout from the Texas Tech controversy is intensifying across the collegiate landscape. Following reports that the Nebraska athletic department has banned its teams from scheduling non-conference contests against the Red Raiders, the Big Ten is now considering a league-wide mandate to cease all athletic competition against the institution.

Conference-Wide Response

According to Pete Thamel, the Big Ten is expected to deliberate on a conference-wide prohibition against playing Texas Tech in any sport. This move follows a similar stance taken by the athletic department at Georgia, which has officially decided to stop scheduling the school.

The Sorsby Ruling

The friction stems from a legal decision made this past Monday, when a Texas judge granted a preliminary injunction for quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The NCAA had previously ruled Sorsby ineligible after discovering he had placed thousands of wagers on college sporting events, including 40 bets specifically on Indiana football games during his 2022 tenure with the Hoosiers.

The NCAA expressed strong opposition to the ruling by Judge Ken Curry, arguing it destabilizes the integrity of collegiate sports. The governing body plans to appeal the decision to the Court of Appeals for the Seventh District of Texas in Amarillo.

Call for Congressional Intervention

NCAA President Charlie Baker highlighted the Sorsby ruling as a critical justification for the proposed Protect College Sports Act. In a statement posted on X, Baker noted that when institutions and donors ignore integrity threats while courts strip away the NCAA’s authority, only Congress can provide a consistent path forward.

Despite the controversy, Sorsby—who has sought treatment for a gambling problem—will serve a two-game suspension as part of a penalty approved by the court. The NCAA was not a party to this agreement.

Looking Ahead

The judicial ruling ensures Sorsby can compete in his final college season for a Texas Tech team currently viewed as a favorite to win the Big 12 and reach the College Football Playoff. Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark acknowledged the potential for broad, concerning impacts across the sport, prompting an emergency meeting with league athletic directors and the executive board.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.