Full Breakdown
Texas Attorney General Threatens $200 Million Lawsuit Over Texas Tech’s Quarterback Eligibility
7/16/2026, 10:15:46 PM
The Attorney General’s Threat to the Big 12
On June 11, 2024 the Texas Attorney General’s office sent a letter to the Big 12 Conference warning that any sanction against Texas Tech University for fielding quarterback Brendan Sorsby would be “unlawful” and could expose the conference to “substantially more than $200 million” in damages. The warning followed a June 10 donation of $274,300 from Texas Tech Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell to Paxton’s Senate-campaign fundraising committee. Campbell’s contribution, recorded in Federal Election Commission filings, was the largest he has made to Paxton in years. Paxton’s campaign has not commented on whether the donation influenced the letter.
Legal and Athletic Background
Sorsby, who admitted to placing at least $90,000 in illegal sports bets—including on his own team while at Indiana and Texas Tech—was declared ineligible by the NCAA. He sued to regain eligibility, and on June 8 a Lubbock district judge temporarily blocked the NCAA from barring him for most of the season. The NCAA appealed, stating it must “aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity.” Texas Tech announced in May that it would “quickly initiate the reinstatement process.” However, on June 15 Campbell said Sorsby would not join the fall roster because of the June 22 supplemental-draft deadline, not legal concerns.
Official Statements & Responses
The Attorney General’s office said it was “informed that the Big 12 and schools within the conference were considering sanctioning Texas Tech for honoring the Temporary Injunction Order and continuing its support of Sorsby as a student-athlete.” The Big 12 responded with a lawsuit against Paxton, Texas Tech, and university officials, asserting that the conference has a First Amendment right to enforce its bylaws. The NCAA reiterated its stance on protecting athletic integrity.
Criticism & Opposition
The Big 12’s complaint described Paxton’s intervention as an attempt to “endorse unethical and indeed unlawful conduct” that threatens the heart of athletic integrity. Observers note the timing of Campbell’s donation and the AG’s letter raises questions about potential political leverage in a high-stakes Senate race where Paxton trails Democratic nominee James Talarico, who has raised over $30 million.
Verbatim Quotes
- “In a June 11 letter, Paxton’s office warned the Big 12 Conference on behalf of Texas Tech that any move to sanction the university for fielding Sorsby would be “unlawful” and potentially expose it to $200 million in damages.” — Paxton’s office
- “The bottom line is that Texas Tech did absolutely nothing but act with complete integrity through this entire process,” — Cody Campbell, Texas Tech Board of Regents Chair
- “We broke no rules, no laws, and crossed no ethical lines. We are proud to represent a university that supports its students the way that we do.” — Cody Campbell
- “The Big 12 and its Member Institutions … have no interest in being required to endorse or even appearing to endorse unethical and indeed unlawful conduct that strikes at the heart of athletic integrity,” — Big 12 complaint
- “must continue to aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity, such as betting on one's own sport.” — NCAA statement
- “was informed that the Big 12 and schools within the conference were considering sanctioning Texas Tech for honoring the Temporary Injunction Order and continuing its support of Sorsby as a student-athlete,” — Paxton’s office press release
