Texas Tech Kicked Brendan Sorsby Out, But the Big 12 Lawsuit Isn't Going Anywhere, And One AD Is Furious About the Bill
Alright, you guys, gather 'round because this college football drama is getting WILD. You'd think with quarterback Brendan Sorsby gone from Texas Tech, the whole messy situation would just, you know, disappear. Nope! On June 20, 2026, we find out the Big 12 has not yet dismissed its lawsuit against Texas Tech. Seriously, can you believe this? This isn't just a minor squabble, it's a full-blown federal complaint still hanging over their heads!
The Not-So-Subtle Exit
So, here's how this whole thing unfolded. The Big 12 filed their federal complaint on Monday, June 15, and let me tell you, that must've sent shockwaves through Lubbock. Because later that SAME day, Texas Tech "pulled the plug" on the Sorsby experiment. They apparently gave the guy "more than a nudge" to jump into the NFL supplemental draft. Sounds like a classic move to try and make a problem vanish, right? But the Big 12 isn't letting them off the hook that easy.
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Remember Sorsby's whole deal? He had permanently lost his NCAA eligibility, which is a massive blow for any college athlete. But then, he somehow secured a court order that actually restored it. Talk about a rollercoaster! Texas Tech tried to move forward with him, but the conference clearly had major issues with it, leading to this lawsuit that just keeps on ticking, even after Sorsby is outta there.
The Bill Is Coming Due
The core of why this case persists? It's all about liability for the conference and, get this, who's gonna foot the bill for all the legal fees. There are real concerns floating around Big 12 circles that Texas Tech should be the one shelling out cash for their "insistence on proceeding" with a player who had eligibility issues. And honestly, who can blame them for thinking that?
One unnamed Big 12 athletic director didn't pull any punches when talking to ESPN, saying, "There may need to be consequences for Texas Tech, even if it works out this way." See? People are fired up! They pointed out the legal fees involved and asked the crucial question: "Is it right for all 16 schools to share in those legal fees when we didn’t have anything to do with starting it? Those are some of the things that are going to have to be worked out and they will be." That's a mic drop moment right there. It's a huge question of fairness and accountability, and the other schools are clearly not happy about potentially getting stuck with the tab for Tech's decisions.
This whole situation is a messy reminder of the complex world of college sports. We'll have to keep an eye on how this plays out, because those "things that are going to have to be worked out" could have some serious implications for Texas Tech and the Big 12 moving forward. It's never boring, that's for sure!
This article was created with AI assistance and reviewed by Seattle On Tap editorial staff. Always verify information with official team sources.