2026-06-21

Texas Tech Red Raiders are at the center of a lingering legal saga with the Big 12 conference, as the two parties continue to navigate the aftermath of Brendan Sorsby's departure. The quarterback's push for eligibility sparked a heated standoff between the school and the conference, with Texas Tech supporting Sorsby's bid and the Big 12 ultimately filing a lawsuit in federal court. According to a source, the conference's primary concern now revolves around potential liability related to Sorsby's gambling situation, which could impact his NFL future. The Big 12 is in no rush to dismiss the lawsuit, with conference officials set to meet next week to discuss their next steps. And the source indicated that the conference may seek reimbursement from Texas Tech for the legal expenses already incurred, citing the need for consequences. But the situation is complex, with the Texas Attorney General having previously threatened legal action if the conference imposed sanctions against the school. So the Big 12 hired a renowned law firm to handle the case, and the legal fees are adding up. The source told ESPN that the conference is still active in the case, and they will reconvene next week to run through all the options. Texas Tech's role in escalating the standoff has been significant, with the school's support for Sorsby's eligibility bid drawing scrutiny. The Big 12's lawsuit was filed in response to the school's actions, and the conference is now seeking to protect itself from potential liability. The situation could create additional tension between Texas Tech and the Big 12 in the months ahead, as the two parties work to resolve the remaining issues. The Big 12's concerns about liability are driven by the potential impact on Sorsby's NFL future, and the conference wants to determine what measures it must take to protect itself. The source said the conference hasn't done anything different at this point, and they will reconvene next week to discuss their next steps. The legal case is still active, and the Big 12 is preparing to continue its legal action against Texas Tech.