NCAA Opens Inquiry Into Cincinnati Over Sorsby Betting

The NCAA has opened an inquiry into the University of Cincinnati after allegations from Brendan Sorsby’s agent that university officials were aware of the former quarterback’s gambling while he was on the roster. The governing body sent Cincinnati a formal letter of inquiry, which begins a review of possible rules violations but does not mean formal charges have been filed.

Sorsby was permanently ruled ineligible after the NCAA determined he placed impermissible sports wagers while competing as a college athlete. He acknowledged wagering roughly $90,000 over four years and making at least 165 bets totaling about $38,000 during 2024 while at Cincinnati. The NCAA’s findings include three wagers on Cincinnati men’s basketball games placed through a shared betting account.

The inquiry will examine whether university officials identified, reported and responded to signs of impermissible betting activity. Investigators are expected to review internal communications, personnel actions and the athletics compliance procedures in place while Sorsby was with the program. Cincinnati has repeatedly denied that staff knew about the quarterback’s betting activity.

Legal proceedings and related lawsuits have run alongside the NCAA’s eligibility ruling. A Texas judge issued a temporary injunction that would have allowed Sorsby to play at Texas Tech, but Sorsby later dismissed his lawsuit against the NCAA and pursued the NFL supplemental draft. The NFL declined to hold a supplemental draft, removing that option for him to play in the 2026 season.

The Big 12 filed a lawsuit against Texas Tech and Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton over the conference’s authority to enforce penalties related to Sorsby. That case remains active even after Sorsby withdrew his legal challenge and gave up his final season of college eligibility. Separately, the University of Cincinnati has sued Sorsby, alleging he breached a name, image and likeness agreement after transferring to Texas Tech.

Letters of inquiry commonly start NCAA reviews and can expand into broader investigations if evidence suggests institutional lapses. The NCAA will determine whether further action or formal allegations against the university are warranted based on its findings.