Cincinnati Sues Former QB Brendan Sorsby for $1M Over Transfer

University alleges Sorsby breached NIL contract by leaving for Texas Tech

Published on Feb. 26, 2026

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The University of Cincinnati is suing former quarterback Brendan Sorsby for $1 million, claiming he breached his lucrative NIL contract with the school when he transferred to Texas Tech. Cincinnati says Sorsby agreed to a two-year deal but left after just one season, violating the terms of the agreement.

Why it matters

This case highlights the growing importance of NIL deals in college sports and the potential legal battles that can arise when players transfer before fulfilling their contractual obligations. It also raises questions about the enforceability of such agreements and the extent to which universities can recoup losses from players who leave early.

The details

According to the lawsuit, Sorsby's NIL deal with Cincinnati was supposed to last 18 months, covering the 2025 and 2026 seasons. The university claims it paid Sorsby a substantial amount in 2025 with the expectation of realizing the majority of the benefits in 2026 as his play and brand grew. However, Sorsby entered the transfer portal on January 2 and later announced he would be playing for Texas Tech, which has agreed to pay him between $4-$6 million for the 2026 season.

  • Sorsby entered the transfer portal on January 2, 2026.
  • Cincinnati filed the lawsuit in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio on February 25, 2026.

The players

Brendan Sorsby

A former quarterback for the University of Cincinnati who transferred to Texas Tech after one season, allegedly breaching his NIL contract with Cincinnati.

University of Cincinnati

The plaintiff in the lawsuit, seeking to enforce a $1 million liquidated damages clause in Sorsby's NIL contract.

Texas Tech

The school that Sorsby transferred to, agreeing to pay him between $4-$6 million for the 2026 season.

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What they’re saying

“In his lucrative NIL agreement with Cincinnati Athletics, Brendan Sorsby committed to stay and play for two seasons as a proud Bearcat representative. He also agreed that if he left the university before that time, he would pay the university a specific amount for the substantial harm that his breach would cause.”

— University of Cincinnati (ESPN)

“Cincinnati Athletics intends to enforce that contractual commitment. As stewards of the university's resources, the Athletics Department has a duty to do so. We thank Brendan for his time at Cincinnati and wish him success in the future.”

— University of Cincinnati (ESPN)

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide whether to allow the lawsuit to proceed and potentially enforce the $1 million liquidated damages clause against Sorsby.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing complexity of NIL deals in college sports and the potential for legal battles when players transfer before fulfilling their contractual obligations. It raises questions about the enforceability of such agreements and the extent to which universities can recoup losses from players who leave early.