The court decision that will allow Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby to play despite NCAA gambling-related sanctions continues to draw strong reactions across college sports. While several administrators have sharply criticized the outcome, TCU athletic director Mike Buddie is urging colleagues to avoid rushing toward major decisions.
During an interview, Buddie said the industry should give itself time before responding to a ruling that has raised questions about NCAA enforcement power, competitive fairness, and the growing influence of the courts.
“History has taught me, Jay, that for about 72 hours after crazy things happen, you probably just need to take a deep breath and think on things,” Buddie said. “Not respond emotionally.”
Big 12 reaction on Texas Tech Brendan Sorsby ruling
Nebraska athletic director Troy Dannen delivered one of the strongest responses, telling Sports Business Journal that Nebraska will no longer schedule Texas Tech in the future. Dannen reportedly characterized the situation as a fundamental breach of the sport’s integrity, arguing that a line had been crossed that was “without precedent in major sports.”
His position quickly gained support from other athletic administrators. According to reports, at least two other Power Four athletic directors indicated their schools may consider similar scheduling boycotts.
Georgia administrator Josh Brooks echoed those concerns on social media, writing that “true integrity means holding your program accountable when things go wrong, not buying custom legislation or running to a local courtroom to bypass the rules.”
Utah athletic director Mark Harlan also criticized the ruling, saying he was “disheartened” by the injunction and warning that allowing an athlete to compete despite NCAA sanctions undermines the “most basic tenets of competitive integrity.”
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has taken a more restrained public stance, noting that conference athletic directors held a productive discussion regarding the implications of the case and would continue those conversations internally.
Buddie, however, made it clear he is not interested in boycott conversations.
“Yeah, I certainly understand why people would say we’re not going to compete against Texas Tech, and in the way current competition is,” Buddie said. “Yeah, I don’t—I’m not going down that road.”
Rather than isolate a conference member, Buddie pointed to Texas Tech’s value within the Big 12 and stressed the importance of continuing competition.
“I think competition is really good, and to be honest with you, Texas Tech has been really good for the Big 12. They’ve had some great teams.”
His comments arrive as college sports faces growing scrutiny over gambling-related issues beyond the Sorsby case. In January 2026, federal authorities announced charges against 26 individuals in an alleged point-shaving scheme tied to NCAA Division I men’s basketball games and contests in the Chinese Basketball Association. According to the Department of Justice, those charged included alleged fixers and multiple current or former college basketball players connected to programs such as DePaul, Kennesaw State, Nicholls State, New Orleans, Tulane, Fordham, and others.
Against that backdrop, Buddie’s focus remained on preserving relationships and finding common ground.
“We just have to get back to kind of some semblance of community,” he said.
Buddie’s view is that the next step should be careful discussion rather than immediate retaliation.
Featured image: Big 12 via X / Cincinnati Bearcats via YouTube
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