Back to today’s briefing

Story perspectives

NCAA Investigates Cincinnati Over Player’s $90K Betting, NIL Lawsuit

7/9/2026

25 3

Summary

NCAA Probes Sorsby

The NCAA sent a letter of inquiry to Cincinnati about Brendan Sorsby.
Sorsby admitted betting at least $38,000 in 2024 and about $90,000 total over four years.
Agent Ron Slavin says Cincinnati knew of Sorsby’s gambling, while the university says no staff were aware.
Cincinnati is suing Sorsby for $1 million over a breached NIL contract.
The NCAA inquiry will assess whether the school should have known about his betting.

Summary

Texas Tech NIL

Texas Tech gave J.J. Sorsby a $5 million NIL and revenue-share deal after he entered the transfer portal.
Jeff Satterfield said Texas Tech contacted Sorsby’s camp with four games left in 2025, possibly breaching tampering rules.
Ron Slavin denied any pre-portal contact from Texas Tech during that season.
After a brief injunction restored his eligibility, Sorsby split from Texas Tech on June 15 and now aims for the 2027 NFL Draft.

Summary

Yormark Announces Partnership

Commissioner Brett Yormark said the Big 12 is in contact with NCAA President Charlie Baker and expects an appeal within 24-48 hours.
Athletic directors Mike Buddie of TCU and Gene Taylor of Kansas State warned their schools might refuse to play Texas Tech if Sorsby is cleared.
Yormark announced an entitlement partnership that will place sponsor patches on all football and men’s and women’s basketball jerseys.

History

Historical Context

After a 2015 federal probe revealed that director Andre McGee arranged escorts for recruits, the NCAA placed Louisville on four years’ probation, vacated 123 wins (including the 2013 title) and imposed a five-game suspension on coach Rick Pitino in 2017. The sanctions set a precedent that now shapes NIL and gambling investigations at programs such as Cincinnati and Texas Tech.

1 of 4

NCAA Probes Sorsby

The NCAA sent a letter of inquiry to Cincinnati about Brendan Sorsby.
Sorsby admitted betting at least $38,000 in 2024 and about $90,000 total over four years.
Agent Ron Slavin says Cincinnati knew of Sorsby’s gambling, while the university says no staff were aware.
Cincinnati is suing Sorsby for $1 million over a breached NIL contract.
The NCAA inquiry will assess whether the school should have known about his betting.

1 / 4