The Texas attorney general’s office warned the Big 12 on Thursday of potential legal action from Texas Tech as the conference considers what to do after quarterback Brendan Sorsby won a court order restoring his eligibility and setting aside his ban by the NCAA for gambling on pro and college sports.

Background

The temporary injunction issued Monday by a Texas district court prevents the NCAA from enforcing its permanent ban of Sorsby, a decision that sent shock waves across college sports. The transfer QB had been ruled ineligible after he acknowledged years of gambling that included at least 40 bets on his own team while he was a freshman at Indiana.

Texas Tech said he has completed a month-long inpatient treatment program and will continue to receive treatment and support while being monitored. The letter from the Texas AG’s office was addressed to Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and Kansas Chancellor Douglas Girod, the chairman of the Big 12 board of directors.

The AG’s office said any sanctions against Texas Tech for “acting consistent” with the district court injunction “would be a per se violation of federal and state antitrust laws — a naked horizontal agreement among competitors to disadvantage Texas Tech by cutting off access to the resources it needs to compete.”

Consequences

Beyond any antitrust exposure, the letter said, the Big 12 would also face liability for “breach of contract and tortious interference” for any sanction that results in the alteration of Texas Tech’s scheduled games.

Yormark said the conference is taking time with its legal counsel to understand the concerns of the state. Since NCAA rules call for a permanent loss of eligibility for any player who wagered on his own team, the judge’s decision sent shockwaves through college sports, including in Texas Tech’s own league.

Original reporting: Dallas TX News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.