Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark faced several questions at Big 12 Media Days on Tuesday. Most of them were related to Texas Tech and Brendan Sorsby’s eligibility saga, which has left the Raiders in a controversial spot, given they supported the quarterback despite the gambling issue.
Initially, when the questions related to the biggest offseason story of the Big 12 were asked, Yormark declined to provide any, saying instead:
“Today is not the time to address that issue. Today is about celebrating the upcoming football season and celebrating our 16 schools.”
Later, Texas Tech reporter Sean Dillon asked Yormark a lengthy question, referencing multiple grievances from the program’s perspective, including the Big 12’s treatment of Texas Tech during the Sorsby dispute, the conference’s previous punishment over fans throwing tortillas onto the field, and perceived inconsistencies in how other schools have been handled.
At first, Yormark interrupted Dillon and said:
“Stand up. Ask that question again, and I’m going to give you the answer I want to give you.”
After the reporter repeated the question that included Dillon saying, “You’re selling greater than 12,” Yormark immediately challenged him, saying:
“No, I didn’t say greater than 12; you misquoted me. I said we’re going forward as 16 strong, and that’s my answer to your question.”
The interaction has left fans blaming the reporter and Texas Tech as a whole:
“Embarrassing question and unnecessary to ask. Tech needs to move on and quit playing the victim card. Geez,” one fan said.
“‘Why are Tech’s tortillas banned but OSU can still bang paddles??🥺🥺🥺.’ Idk Jabba the Hutt let’s put our thinking caps on and consider maybe it’s because one has items getting thrown on the field and the other doesn’t,” another wrote about the reporter’s question.
“Crazy how quickly TTU became the villain,” one fan wrote.
“Comparing throwing things on the field to paddles on the side wall is absolutely ridiculous. Horrible questioning,” one fan commented.
“You just know he thought this was gonna be a mic drop moment. In reality he was so emotional that he could hardly get the question out. The L’s keep flowing for Texas Tech,” another fan added.
“People are saying this is the worst question ever asked,” another added.
Brett Yormark’s Big 12 Sued Texas Tech Over Brendan Sorsby
Despite a Texas court granting Brendan Sorsby a temporary injunction allowing him to play the 2026 season despite an NCAA gambling-related ineligibility ruling, the Big 12 still sued Texas Tech, believing the program could have broken the bylaws in place if it ever came to the quarterback taking the field.
Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton even warned the conference against taking action, but the Big 12 responded with a 47-page federal lawsuit. The conference filed the lawsuit against Texas Tech University, Texas Tech University System, and several university officials, and Paxton.
In the lawsuit, the Big 12 considered imposing financial penalties, competitive sanctions, and other disciplinary measures allowed under Big 12 bylaws if Texas Tech fielded Sorsby. In a way, the lawsuit was confirming that the Big 12 could still take action against a member of their own under its own bylaws.
However, while all this was happening, Sorsby backed out and announced he would forgo the 2026 college season and instead prepare for the 2027 NFL Draft. Despite Sorsby no longer being available for Texas Tech, the Big 12’s suit is still alive as the conference wants to know if it has merit in the eyes of the law.
Read More News:
College Sports Network has you covered with the latest news, analysis, insights, and trending stories in tennis, college football, men’s college basketball, women’s college basketball, and college baseball!
