Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton is threatening legal action against the NCAA’s Big 12 Conference after reports that league officials are considering sanctions against Texas Tech for allowing quarterback Brendan Sorsby to play under a court order.In a letter to the conference, Paxton’s office warned that any attempt to punish Texas Tech for complying with a judicial ruling would be unlawful and could expose the Big 12 to significant legal liability.“Texas Tech is confident the Big 12 will choose to act within the confines of the law and respect both the judicial process and its own Rules and Bylaws,” the letter states. “However, should the Big 12 seek to sanction Texas Tech for acting consistent with the Order, Texas Tech will pursue all legal avenues to protect its interests and those of Texas Tech’s student-athletes.”
The attorney general’s office said it had learned the conference was considering invoking a bylaw that permits member schools to impose sanctions with approval from a supermajority of uninvolved institutions. Under the provision, Texas Tech could be forced to forfeit games in which Sorsby participates and potentially be barred from competing for a conference championship.
