Cincinnati Sues Ex-QB Sorsby Over $1M Transfer Buy-Out

Lawsuit alleges Sorsby failed to pay required fee when transferring from Cincinnati to Texas Tech

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The University of Cincinnati has filed a lawsuit against former quarterback Brendan Sorsby, alleging he breached a $1 million contract buy-out agreement when he transferred from Cincinnati to Texas Tech in January. According to the lawsuit, Sorsby signed an 18-month NIL deal with Cincinnati in July 2025, but then failed to pay the required $1 million fee when he left the school with a year of eligibility remaining.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing complexity around NIL deals and transfer rules in college sports. As more high-profile players sign lucrative NIL contracts, disputes over buy-outs and transfers could become more common, raising questions about the enforceability of these agreements and the rights of student-athletes.

The details

The lawsuit states that in July 2025, Sorsby signed an 18-month, two-season NIL agreement with Cincinnati, with the expectation that the school would realize the majority of the benefits in the 2026 season. The agreement included a $1 million liquidated damages clause if Sorsby transferred to another university before the deal's expiration on Dec. 15, 2026. Sorsby signed with Texas Tech on Jan. 15, 2026, with a year of eligibility remaining. Cincinnati alleges Sorsby was given 30 days to pay the $1 million buy-out, but his representation advised him to refuse.

  • In July 2025, Sorsby signed an 18-month NIL agreement with Cincinnati.
  • On Jan. 15, 2026, Sorsby signed with Texas Tech, with a year of eligibility remaining.
  • On Feb. 26, 2026, Cincinnati filed the lawsuit against Sorsby in U.S. District Court.

The players

Brendan Sorsby

A former quarterback for the University of Cincinnati who transferred to Texas Tech with a year of eligibility remaining, allegedly failing to pay a $1 million buy-out fee as required by his NIL agreement with Cincinnati.

University of Cincinnati

The school that filed the lawsuit against Sorsby, alleging he breached a $1 million contract buy-out agreement when he transferred to Texas Tech.

Texas Tech

The school Sorsby transferred to after spending two seasons as Cincinnati's starting quarterback.

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What they’re saying

“Pursuing legal action against Brendan Sorsby is misguided. University of Cincinnati, through its revenue-share structure, paid him $875,800 for a season he fully completed, and in that time, he generated millions in value for the program. Attempting to recover those funds now sends the wrong message to current and future student-athletes and risks damaging the long-term credibility of Cincinnati football.”

— LIFT Sports Management, Sorsby's representation agency (The Athletic)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed. If the case moves forward, it could set an important precedent regarding the enforceability of NIL contract buy-outs and the rights of student-athletes who transfer schools.

The takeaway

This dispute highlights the evolving landscape of college sports, where lucrative NIL deals and transfer rules are creating new legal and ethical challenges. The outcome of this case could have significant implications for how schools and athletes navigate these complex issues going forward.