Judge Curry to Rule on Sorsby NCAA Eligibility
SkimNews Take
The judicial review of Sorsby’s eligibility suggests a shift towards legal due process in collegiate sports disputes, moving beyond internal NCAA disciplinary mechanisms.
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- Judge Ken Curry asked for additional documentation and will issue a decision in the coming days after a two‑hour hearing on Sorsby’s eligibility.
- NCAA ruled Sorsby permanently ineligible for placing bets on college and professional sports, including on his own teams, and denied his reinstatement request on May 22.
- Brendan Sorsby allegedly wagered about $90,000 over four years, using his own, family members’, and friends’ accounts across multiple sportsbooks, and transferred over $60,000 to friends to cover bets.
- Jeffrey Kessler argued the NCAA ignored Sorsby’s mental‑health and addiction issues, which the NCAA must support, and sought a temporary injunction to let him play in 2026.
- Taylor Askew countered that the NCAA considered Sorsby’s mental health but that it does not excuse his gambling violations, noting that clearing him would make the NCAA the first U.S. league to allow athletes to bet on its own contests without punishment.
- Texas Tech appealed the NCAA’s decision, requesting a two‑game suspension instead of full ineligibility, and hopes for a ruling by June 15 to allow Sorsby to decide on entering the NFL supplemental draft by June 22.
Why it matters: If Judge Curry grants the injunction, Sorsby would play the 2026 season and enter the NFL supplemental draft, preserving his professional prospects while the NCAA faces a potential precedent that would reshape its betting policies. Conversely, a denial keeps him barred and maintains the NCAA’s strict wagering rules.
