Cincinnati sues former quarterback Brendan Sorsby over $1M NIL buyout after Texas Tech transfer

The University of Cincinnati became the latest assemblage to writer 1 of its erstwhile players, claiming that erstwhile backmost Brendan Sorsby violated his name, representation and likeness (NIL) woody aft transferring to Texas Tech past month. 

In a suit filed successful the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the assemblage alleged that Sorsby did not wage the $1 cardinal buyout interest that was owed wrong 30 days of transferring retired of the program. 

Brendan Sorsby (2) of the Cincinnati Bearcats laughs during warmups earlier their crippled against the Utah Utes astatine Rice-Eccles Stadium successful Salt Lake City, Utah, connected Nov. 1, 2025. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

He signed with the Bearcats successful July 2025, and his woody was for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. 

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"Cincinnati Athletics is arrogant to spouse with its student-athletes and honors the contractual commitments it makes to them. We expect student-athletes and their representatives to bash the same," the assemblage said successful a connection to The Associated Press.

 "In his lucrative NIL statement with Cincinnati Athletics, Brendan Sorsby committed to enactment and play for 2 seasons arsenic a arrogant Bearcat representative. He besides agreed that if helium near the assemblage earlier that time, helium would wage the assemblage a circumstantial magnitude for the important harm that his breach would cause. Cincinnati Athletics intends to enforce that contractual commitment."

Sorsby announced successful December that helium would beryllium entering the transportation portal aft helium passed for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and 5 interceptions past season. He added different ​​580 yards and 9 touchdowns connected the ground. 

"I privation to convey Coach Satt, Coach Thomas, Coach Canada, and the remainder of the unit for each the enactment that they person enactment successful towards my improvement arsenic not lone a quarterback, but besides arsenic a person. It has shaped maine into the antheral I americium today," his announcement work successful part. 

Brendan Sorsby (2) of the Cincinnati Bearcats scrambles during the archetypal fractional against the TCU Horned Frogs astatine Amon G. Carter Stadium successful Fort Worth, Texas, connected Nov. 29, 2025. (Ron Jenkins/Getty Images)

"To my teammates, I admit you guys much than you know. I’ll ne'er hide each the memories we’ve shared connected and disconnected the field. All the highs and lows that we’ve been through, I wouldn’t commercialized for anything.

"After a batch of supplication and thoughtful consideration, I person decided to participate the transportation portal." 

Shortly after, helium announced his committedness to Texas Tech.

 Sorsby's agent, Ron Slavin, told The AP that helium plans to combat the lawsuit, adding that the assemblage shot subordinate was paid $875,800 by the assemblage but that helium earned overmuch much for the programme during his tenure there. 

"In that time, helium generated millions successful worth for the program. Attempting to retrieve those funds present sends the incorrect connection to existent and aboriginal student-athletes and risks damaging the semipermanent credibility of Cincinnati football," Slavin said. "This is further disappointing fixed that Brendan parted ways with UC successful what was a mutually agreeable manner. The wealth the assemblage seeks to retrieve from him is thing much than an unlawful punishment nether Ohio law."

Future Texas Tech backmost Brendan Sorsby shouts during the archetypal fractional of the crippled betwixt the Houston Cougars and the Texas Tech Red Raiders astatine United Supermarkets Arena successful Lubbock, Texas, connected Jan. 24, 2026. (John E. Moore III/Getty Images)

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The suit comes amid a tumultuous clip for assemblage athletics. 

Demond Williams Jr. attempted to transportation from Washington, but the assemblage threatened to enforce its $4 cardinal buyout connected the quarterback, prompting him to rescind his transportation announcement. Duke sued and settled with backmost Darian Mensah earlier helium yet transferred to Miami.

The Associated Press contributed to this report. 

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