Texas Tech booster donated $274K one day before Texas AG Ken Paxton’s Brendan Sorsby letter

Key Points:

• Texas Tech board chair Cody Campbell donated $274,300 to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton’s U.S. Senate campaign one day before Paxton’s office threatened legal action against the Big 12 over Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility.
• Paxton’s office sent a letter declaring any Big 12 sanctions against Texas Tech unlawful after a Texas court granted Sorsby a temporary injunction reinstating his eligibility despite NCAA gambling violations.
• The Big 12 subsequently filed a federal lawsuit against Paxton and Texas Tech seeking to affirm its authority to sanction the university, leading Sorsby to leave Texas Tech and focus on the NFL amid ongoing legal battles.
• Campbell, a billionaire booster and former Texas Tech player, has been a significant donor to Republican candidates and is involved in college sports legislation, while Paxton faces a competitive Senate race against Democrat James Talarico.
• The controversy highlights complex intersections of college athletics, legal authority, and political influence, with the Big 12 lawsuit still active and Sorsby sitting out the 2026 season preparing for the 2027 NFL Draft.