The Brendan Sorsby case continues to provide a platform for plenty of political theatrics.
The latest example of performative grandstanding comes from Oklahoma attorney general Gentner Drummond, who has urged the Big 12 to suspend the Texas Tech quarterback, despite a court order restoring his eligibility.
“[Texas Tech’s] actions in obtaining eligibility for Brendan Sorsby — an athlete the NCAA declared permanently ineligible for extensive wagering on college sports, including games involving his own team — have constituted a shameful chapter in the story of college football,” Drummond wrote to the conference. “Texas Tech has acted in a manner adverse to the Big 12 and the integrity of college football as a whole.”
Drummond contends that the court order applies only to the NCAA and not to the Big 12.
“[Texas Tech] has shirked responsibility by running with a bogus claim to a friendly court,” Drummond wrote. “Its leadership has prioritized winning over sport, over honor and over integrity. If Texas Tech will not do the right thing, the Big 12 should. Texas Tech should be sanctioned.”
Folks can disagree about the ruling, but a valid court order has been obtained. Until the order is reversed or rescinded, Sorsby is eligible to play. Period.
The question at this point is whether the rule of law will be respected.
It would be absurd for the Big 12 to do that which the NCAA can’t do. If the Big 12 wanted to be heard in court, it could have filed a motion to intervene in Sorsby’s case. Drummond could have sought leave to file an amicus curiae brief.
There are legitimate ways to challenge a court order. There are illegitimate ways to ignore the court order. Drummond should know better.
He probably does. At this point, it’s less about the law and more about pandering to voters and/or building political momentum to deliver the federal antitrust exemption that would ultimately limit player rights under the guise of restoring order to the sport.
Those who hope to convert chaos into order can start by respecting the court order that has been issued.
No one has to like it. Everyone should respect it.
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