LUBBOCK, TEXAS — Brendan Sorsby received a temporary injunction from a Texas judge on June 8, 2026, making him eligible to play football for Texas Tech in the 2026 season. The ruling by retired Tarrant County judge Ken Curry in the 99th District Court in Lubbock County overturns an NCAA ban on Sorsby's competition.

As a condition of the ruling, Sorsby must miss the first two games of the season against Abilene Christian and at Oregon State. Court filings indicate Sorsby admitted to placing at least $90,000 in sports wagers as a college student-athlete. He placed 40 bets on Indiana football games in 2022 while he was a redshirt freshman on the team, but he did not bet on any games in which he participated.

The NCAA said in a statement, "The NCAA strongly disagrees 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 — which undermines and corrupts the integrity of sports." The organization had previously denied two petitions from Texas Tech to reinstate Sorsby's eligibility, leading to Sorsby filing a lawsuit in Lubbock County District Court to restore his eligibility. The organization added, "The NCAA is committed to supporting student-athlete mental health but must continue to aggressively defend against actions that defraud college athletics and threaten competitive integrity, such as betting on one's own sport."

Texas Tech Athletic Director Kirby Hocutt commented on the situation. "As we have said before, we do not believe that the circumstances of Brendan's case warranted permanent ineligibility." Hocutt said. Sorsby entered a monthlong residential treatment program for gambling addiction in Arizona after the NCAA investigation began. The injunction requires Sorsby to continue individual clinical counseling and participate in Gamblers Anonymous or a similar peer support group. He is also required to continue treatment for underlying anxiety driving his gambling behavior.

Kansas State athletic director Gene Taylor discussed the potential impact on his conference. "It is absolutely devastating for him to be able to play when every other sport, no matter the level, deems an athlete ineligible or they are punished severely for betting on their team." Taylor said. NCAA attorney Taylor Askew argued that allowing Sorsby to play would cause reputational harm to the NCAA.

The school transferred Sorsby from Cincinnati in January under a multimillion-dollar agreement. The season opener is scheduled for Sept. 5 at home against Abilene Christian. Sorsby will first be eligible to play when the team hosts Houston on Sept. 18.