NCAA Denies Brendan Sorsby's 2026 Reinstatement as Texas Tech Appeals 1-Year Eligibility Loss
Updated
Updated · ESPN · May 26
NCAA Denies Brendan Sorsby's 2026 Reinstatement as Texas Tech Appeals 1-Year Eligibility Loss
12 articles · Updated · ESPN · May 26
June 1 now looms as the key date after the NCAA rejected Brendan Sorsby’s bid to play in 2026, pushing the Texas Tech quarterback’s lawsuit for an injunction to the forefront.
Thousands of sports bets triggered the denial, including wagers on Indiana football while Sorsby was on the team; NCAA rules treat betting on one’s own team as grounds for permanent ineligibility.
Texas Tech President Lawrence Schovanec said the school will appeal, arguing the ruling should be reversed or modified and urging the NCAA to adapt its bylaws to widespread legalized sports betting.
Thirty-five days of inpatient rehab preceded Sorsby’s return to campus, where Texas Tech said it will provide outpatient care, therapy, device monitoring, betting-site blocks and financial oversight.
One year of eligibility remains at stake for Sorsby, whose lawyers had sought a two-game suspension instead of a season-ending penalty.
Should a diagnosed addiction excuse a player who bet on his own team?
With sports betting now mainstream, are the NCAA's strict gambling rules outdated?