The court granted Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby a temporary injunction against the NCAA earlier this week. The Texas Tech QB will face a two-game suspension instead of a greater punishment. A full-case trial will begin on February 8, 2027, after the College Football Playoff concludes. Many college football athletic directors were unhappy with the ruling and expressed their interest in boycotting Texas Tech. Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark issued a statement regarding the matter.

“We had a thoughtful and productive conversation with our athletics directors today as we continue to work through the broader implications of this situation,” Yormark said. “Many of our athletics directors voiced their opinions. We will continue to have open and honest dialogue amongst the group and until there is something to report, these conversations will remain within the conference.”

In the aftermath of the court’s ruling, Yomark had promised a meeting among Big 12 ADs this week. While there is not much to report yet, Yomark’s statement suggests ongoing talks toward a major consequence for Texas Tech. In the court, Judge Ken Curry ruled that Sorsby’s attorney demonstrated that the quarterback will suffer a “probable, imminent and irreparable injury” if he is banned from playing this coming season as a penalty for his gambling.

“I’m very grateful for the endless support I have received throughout this entire process,” Sorsby said in a statement Monday. “I am also grateful for the chance to rejoin my teammates. This opportunity comes with the responsibility to remain focused on my personal growth, the ability to learn from this experience, and to be able to use my situation to help others going forward.”

In response, the NCAA filed an “an accelerated appeal” in Lubbock County, Texas. Per ESPN, the body noted their disagreement “with the court’s ruling in Sorsby’s case and is deeply concerned about the damaging, far-reaching and broadly destabilizing ramifications of this outcome”. While the NCAA promised to keep supporting the mental health of student-athletes, the association remains unwilling to compromise the integrity of the sports. NCAA president Charlie Baker further cited the case as an example why the Protect College Sports Act was truly needed, if a case like Sorsby’s could be defended by the court and some programs.

Per Ross Dellenger, athletic officials from Nebraska and Georgia have been sent department-wide memos instructing coaches and sport deputies not to schedule any game against Texas Tech, and should cancel any one scheduled already.

Sorsby reportedly wagered over $90,000 on gambling, while placing over 40 bets on the Indiana Hoosiers while he was a part of the program. The NCAA’s response to this was a permanent ban. However, he soon involved attorney Jeffrey Kessler, known for his success against the NCAA. Ultimately, it was another success for Kessler, as Sorsby can play football for another season.

Paul Finebaum calls out Big 12

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum expects more from the Big 12 and Brett Yomark. While he understands the how tricky the situation is, he deems their intervention necessary at this point. As far as he is concerned, they are in the best position to take any step against the program.

“The statement yesterday from the Big 12 commissioner is interesting because he really didn’t say anything,” Finebaum told Greenberg. “I believe that Brett Yormark is probably the only one left that can stop this, he can declare Sorsby ineligible, yes it would be litigated, but at least somebody would stand up. Until now, nobody has really done anything, especially this court in Texas.”

“That would be unique, because if these schools say, ‘we’re not playing them,’ then you talk about contracts, not only with the league but with television networks, then you have mass chaos. It’s really about the university. Texas Tech is the culprit here. They have agreed and supported Sorsby in this case, and they’re the ones that probably should say, ‘we’re not going through with it.”

Though some programs have openly ruled against playing Texas Tech, Finebaum feels they remain at the receiving end if the Big 12 does not give them some protection and support.