Utah Governor Spencer J. Cox and Attorney General Derek Brown issued a joint letter on June 15, 2026, backing the Big 12 Conference's right to enforce its own regulations amid an ongoing dispute regarding the eligibility of Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby. The letter was one entry in a multi-state legal fight that, as of mid-June, remained unresolved heading into the fall season.
Support for Conference Integrity
The high-profile dispute centers on Sorsby, who admitted to placing bets on football games involving the University of Indiana, a program he was part of in 2022. While the NCAA has suspended Sorsby's eligibility due to the misconduct, a Texas judge had, the previous week, issued an injunction that would allow him to participate in the upcoming football season.
In the June 15 statement, released via X, Attorney General Brown emphasized the importance of maintaining fair play for Utah-based institutions. "BYU and Utah deserve honest competition. @govcox and I stand behind the Big 12 and support its right to enforce its own rules," Brown wrote.
Impact on Utah Schools
The letter from Utah officials was addressed to Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark and University of Kansas Chairman Douglas A. Girod. Brown noted that the outcome of this dispute carries significant weight for the two Big 12 members located in Utah: Brigham Young University and the University of Utah.
"Utah is home to two Big 12 member institutions—Brigham Young University and the University of Utah—and we write because what happens next matters to both schools and to every honest athlete who competes in this Conference," Brown stated in the June 15 letter, as reported by KSL Sports.
Interstate Legal Conflict
The controversy escalated into a multi-state legal confrontation. Utah's Attorney General joined officials from Oklahoma and Kansas in defending the conference's disciplinary authority. This followed a warning from Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, who had written to the Big 12 the previous week suggesting that sanctioning Texas Tech could expose the league to "substantial liability" under federal and state antitrust laws.
Brown explicitly rejected Paxton's assertion. According to the June 15 letter, Brown argued that the claim of potential antitrust violations is incorrect, particularly given Utah's strict stance on gambling. He noted that Utah remains one of only two states with a comprehensive and statutory prohibition on gambling.
Structural Risks to Athletics
The core of the argument from Utah officials rests on the structural integrity of collegiate athletics. Brown argued that when an athlete wagers on games in which they participate, it compromises the fundamental premise of honest competition for all stakeholders, including fans, broadcasters, and other student-athletes.
"The harm from Texas Tech's proposed course of action is not merely legal—it is structural," Brown wrote. He continued, "When an athlete wagers on games in which he competes, every play becomes suspect... Every student-athlete in the Big 12—at BYU, the University of Utah, and every other member school—trains, competes, and sacrifices on that premise."
Conference Legal Action
The Big 12 has taken active legal measures in response to the situation. On June 15, the conference filed a 47-page complaint in the Northern District of Texas, Dallas Division, against both Texas Tech and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. The filing seeks an injunction to allow the conference to invoke its specific bylaws.
Regarding the potential for penalties, the Big 12 previously stated that its discussions with the full Board would determine its next steps, maintaining that all options remain on the table.
Sorsby's Current Status
As of mid-June 2026, Sorsby's playing status remained in flux. He was serving a suspension for the first two games of the Texas Tech season, against Abilene Christian and Oregon State. While he was cleared to play against Houston in week three—the Red Raiders' first Big 12 matchup—Texas Tech officials had not confirmed whether he would participate following the court injunction.
Neither the University of Utah nor BYU is scheduled to face Texas Tech during the regular season this fall.
