NCAA president reacts to Sorsby ruling: ‘Deep-pocketed supporters willing to look the other way’
He took to social media shortly after the ruling came down.
Olivia Bennett 
NCAA President Charlie Baker is pushing for federal intervention following a recent court ruling involving Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby. Baker pointed to the Brendan Sorsby ruling as definitive proof that the NCAA requires the Protect College Sports Act to maintain oversight.
A Legal Blow to NCAA Gambling Policies
Sorsby, who faced ineligibility after admitting to gambling on games—including his own team during his tenure at Indiana—successfully secured a temporary injunction allowing him to continue his football career. As of Monday, Sorsby is eligible to participate immediately.
Baker took to social media to voice his frustration, stating, "There is no better example of why targeted intervention from Congress is necessary. When you have schools and deep-pocketed supporters willing to look the other way on the glaring integrity threat of betting on your own team—and judges whose rulings effectively strip away our ability to stop them—only Congress can equip the NCAA to apply this common sense rule to everyone fairly and consistently."
The Path Forward for Sorsby
District Court Judge Ken Curry’s ruling explicitly prevents the NCAA from barring Sorsby from playing, practicing, or participating for Texas Tech throughout the 2026 season. However, the quarterback will still serve a two-game suspension, a penalty initially proposed by his own legal team.
Court records indicate that Sorsby admitted to placing thousands of impermissible bets, totaling at least $90,000, across his time at Indiana, Cincinnati, and Texas Tech. This count includes 40 wagers placed on Indiana games during his 2022 freshman season, though records suggest he did not bet on games in which he participated.
Integrity Concerns
Despite evolving gambling guidelines, current NCAA regulations mandate a permanent loss of eligibility for any student-athlete who wagers on their own team. Sorsby, who spent two seasons at Indiana before spending the last two at Cincinnati, now finds himself at the center of a national debate regarding the limits of NCAA authority.
Baker believes the Protect College Sports Act is essential for the association to enforce its gambling restrictions, noting that the need for such legislation is more urgent than ever. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
