Big 12 Backs NCAA Antitrust Bill After Texas Judge Upended 1 Gambling Ban
Updated
Updated · KUsports · Jun 17
Big 12 Backs NCAA Antitrust Bill After Texas Judge Upended 1 Gambling Ban
1 articles · Updated · KUsports · Jun 17
Summary
Doug Girod said the June 8 Texas ruling that briefly preserved Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility after he admitted betting on his team showed the NCAA can no longer reliably enforce even its clearest rules.
The Big 12 is backing the bipartisan Protect College Sports Act, sponsored by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, to give the NCAA and conferences antitrust protections and block state laws that override NCAA rules.
Girod said the most visible effect for fans would be tighter transfer-portal limits, arguing the bill could restore roster stability and reduce education disruptions caused by near-unrestricted player movement.
Support remains uneven: the ACC has joined the Big 12, while the SEC and Big Ten have withheld backing over concerns including a media-rights pooling provision that could threaten their lucrative TV deals.
Sorsby has since opted to pursue an NFL career, ending the immediate eligibility fight, but Girod said the episode underscored a broader bipartisan view that college sports is broken even if Congress still lacks consensus on a fix.
With its wealthiest conferences opposed, can a new federal law unite college sports or will it deepen the divide?
After a player who bet on his team was cleared, can federal law actually restore integrity to college sports?
Betting, Boycotts, and the Battle for College Sports: The Brendan Sorsby Case and the Fight Over NCAA Authority and Federal Reform
Overview
The Brendan Sorsby case has become a turning point in college sports, highlighting the NCAA's weakening authority. After Sorsby was ruled ineligible for betting $90,000 on sports, a judge granted him a temporary injunction to play, citing irreparable harm and requiring him to attend addiction treatment. This decision shocked the college football world, leading to boycotts and legal battles among conferences. The turmoil exposed deep flaws in college sports governance and fueled urgent calls for federal intervention, as schools and lawmakers now debate how to restore order and protect both athlete rights and the integrity of competition.