In a lawsuit filed Monday morning in the Northern District of Texas, the conference took direct aim at Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, Texas Tech athletic director Kirby Hocutt and others involved in a legal battle that resulted in a local judge granting Sorsby an injunction and restoring his eligibility for the upcoming season.TEXAS AG THREATENS LEGAL WAR AGAINST BIG 12 OVER POTENTIAL SANCTIONS AROUND BRENDAN SORSBYThis was all ramped up last week, when Paxton, along with lawyers representing Texas Tech, published a statement saying both parties would sue the Big 12 conference if they were to hand down any sanctions toward the school for abiding by a judge's order in allowing Sorsby to play.During meetings with athletic directors and the executive committee over the past five days, the Big 12 had made it clear it was looking into potential ways to sanction Texas Tech.The problem was that the school, or Sorsby, would immediately file a lawsuit against the conference in hopes of another injunction being granted.Cody Campbell stands backstage during ESPN's College GameDay at Texas Tech University in Lubbock, Texas, on Nov.8, 2025.
(John E.Moore III/Getty Images)What could these potential punishments against Texas Tech look like?There could be "Prohibitions on appearance in postseason events or televised events" (such as conference championships) and "restrictions on revenue distributions", which is just an example provided by the Big 12 conference.COLLEGE QUARTERBACK WHO BET ON HIS OWN TEAM ALLOWED TO PLAY IN LANDMARK RULING, NCAA FILES APPEAL IN COURTOfficials have also discussed ruling Sorsby ineligible, which would mean every game he plays for Texas Tech would technically be a forfeit against the opposing team."During the week prior to filing this Complaint, TTU communicated its intent directly to the Conference to field Sorsby in Conference football games.
Though TTU has been asked by both the Conference and many University Presidents, Athletic Directors, and...