Brendan Sorsby, the quarterback for Texas Tech, has taken legal action to regain his NCAA eligibility after acknowledging a gambling addiction. Sorsby, who recently entered treatment for his condition, filed a lawsuit in Lubbock County, Texas, on Monday. The lawsuit seeks an injunction that would allow him to continue practicing and playing for the Red Raiders.
Legal Battle for Eligibility
Sorsby’s eligibility came into question after he admitted to wagering on sports, a violation of NCAA rules. His legal team, led by local attorney Dustin Burrows, argues that the NCAA has failed in its duty to support Sorsby’s well-being, instead using his condition to uphold a facade of integrity. The lawsuit highlights that Sorsby’s gambling addiction is a clinically diagnosed disorder, recognized by the American Psychiatric Association.
Despite acknowledging his rule violation, Sorsby is seeking a fair resolution that doesn’t result in a complete loss of eligibility. Texas Tech has declared him ineligible but intends to initiate the reinstatement process swiftly, emphasizing their commitment to Sorsby’s health and well-being.
NCAA’s Stance on Sports Betting
The NCAA has not yet received a reinstatement request for Sorsby but maintains that its sports betting rules are clear and necessary to preserve the integrity of the game. The organization insists that these rules are applied equally to all student-athletes to ensure fair play.
Sorsby’s case has drawn attention to the NCAA’s relationship with the gambling industry. His lawsuit criticizes the NCAA’s partnership with Genius Sports, which involves distributing real-time data to sportsbooks, and points out the significant sums wagered on NCAA events.
Sorsby began his college football career at Indiana in 2022 before transferring to Cincinnati and then Texas Tech. Reports indicate that he placed numerous online bets, including on Indiana football games, though he did not bet on a game in which he participated.
Original reporting: Fort Worth, TX Sports (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
