A controversy involving Brendan Sorsby has reached the NCAA softball landscape, with Texas Tech reportedly finding itself isolated by two major programs, including Georgia and Nebraska. The two programs have boycotted the Red Raiders for any future competitions.
In April 2026, the NCAA investigated Sorsby after discovering he had placed thousands of online sports wagers totaling approximately $90,000 over the past four years. This included 40 bets on his own Indiana football team while redshirting there in 2022. Following this, he was deemed permanently ineligible by the NCAA, as its regulations strictly forbid athletes from betting on college or professional sports.
Texas Tech, which welcomed Sorsby to the team on January 4, 2026, also made an appeal for reinstatement, but it was denied. After being deemed ineligible, he sued the NCAA, as his team claimed that permanent ineligibility can cause immense damage to his career. On June 8, 2026, a judge in Lubbock County District Court ruled in Sorsby’s favor. He was granted a temporary court injunction against the NCAA, restoring his eligibility to play for the 2026 college football season.
Under the injunction, he will serve a two-game suspension to start the season; however, he is otherwise cleared to practice and compete. This news has sparked massive backlash and has now reached NCAA softball, as the University of Georgia and the University of Nebraska have refused to compete against Texas Tech, protesting against the controversial court ruling.
They have ordered their sports coaches to halt all future scheduling against the team and have also asked to cancel any existing matchups across all sports, including softball. This news came just after the 2026 Women’s College World Series ended, where the Red Raiders finished as runners-up after losing to the Texas Longhorns in the finals. If more schools decide to ostracize Texas Tech, their RPI and strength and schedule will drop even further in the 2027 season.
News of Georgia and Nebraska boycotting Texas Tech
Their presence in the 2027 softball season will be based on their schedule, roster, and results. The Georgia compliance director, Will Lawler, wrote:
“Based on recent developments, Georgia Athletics will not schedule future contests against Texas Tech until further notice.”
Similarly, Nebraska’s Deputy Athletic Director Haven Field wrote:
“Nebraska will not schedule any contests vs. Texas Tech in any sport. If you currently have a future contest already scheduled, please connect with athletic director Troy Dannen immediately.”
What Did NCAA Officials Say About The Brendan Sorsby Controversial Ruling?
Shortly after the ruling turned out in Brendan Sorsby’s favor, NCAA president Charlie Baker penned a lengthy statement on X, making his feelings known about the controversial ruling. Emphasizing the importance of intervention from Congress in such matters, he wrote:
“There is no better example of why targeted intervention from Congress is necessary. When you have schools and deep-pocketed supporters willing to look the other way on the glaring integrity threat of betting on your own team – and judges whose rulings effectively strip away our ability to stop them – only Congress can equip the @NCAA to apply this common sense rule to everyone fairly and consistently.”
The NCAA officials also posted a statement, strongly disagreeing with the court’s ruling. They said:
“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.”
After the discovery of his violations, Brendan Sorsby checked into a 35-day residential treatment program in Arizona, where he was diagnosed with gambling and anxiety disorders.
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