Big 12 files legal complaint against Texas Tech, AG Ken Paxton amid Brendan Sorsby saga

Key Points:

• The Big 12 Conference filed a 47-page federal complaint against Texas Tech, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, and university officials to preserve its authority to sanction member institutions over Texas Tech's plan to play quarterback Brendan Sorsby in the 2026 season.
• The lawsuit seeks a declaratory judgment and preliminary injunction to allow the Big 12 to enforce its bylaws and discipline Texas Tech without interference from Paxton, who warned that sanctions could violate antitrust laws.
• Sorsby was ruled permanently ineligible by the NCAA for wagering approximately $90,000 on college football games, including after transferring to Texas Tech, but a Texas judge granted him an injunction allowing him to compete in 2026.
• The Big 12 expressed concern that allowing Sorsby to play could cause reputational harm and damage trust in the league's integrity, with potential sanctions including monetary penalties or a ban from the Big 12 Championship Game.
• The case highlights ongoing tensions between conference governance, legal rulings, and NCAA regulations, with the Big 12 emphasizing the non-negotiable nature of its values regarding gambling and athletic competition integrity.