Column: The NCAA has no more authority over college athletics

Photo Courtesy of Freerange Stock

What has more authority: A toddler at the Thanksgiving table or the NCAA over college sports?

If you asked me six or seven years ago, I’d no doubt say the NCAA. Today, that answer has changed.

Texas Tech University and its transfer quarterback, Brendan Sorsby, have effectively ended the NCAA’s rule and power over student-athletes. Sorsby, who first checked into a gambling rehab clinic on April 27, was granted an injunction — in Lubbock County Court — to grant him eligibility this season. 

Not even 24 hours before the injunction, the NCAA denied Sorsby’s request for eligibility.

The court ruled that Sorsby “will suffer a probable, imminent, and irreparable injury” if he is not a member of the Red Raiders football team in 2026. He will miss the first two games of the season.

During the investigation, it was found that Sorsby placed over 9,000 bets — some on his own team while playing at Indiana University — totaling over $90,000.

It used to be that the NCAA was feared. Any wrongdoing and a school’s reputation would be at stake. Buy students a taxi to and from the airport? Sanctions. Buy recruits food? Limited scholarships. Help student-athletes with expenses? Good luck fielding a competitive team for the next decade.

In some cases, the NCAA sanctioned teams for using invalid icing on cakes. (Yes, I wish I was joking.)

Now, the pendulum has swung the other way. The NCAA can’t even punish basic infractions on eligibility and gambling.

So, how does the NCAA come back from this?

I don’t think it can. It started with Name, Image and Likeness ruling, trickled into the house settlement and has melted into an ineffective governing body. No rules on eligibility, transfer rules and athletes can gamble on whatever, whenever they please. 

Even if the NCAA does make concrete rules, will it stop anything? It’s proven that if the NCAA does something not in your favor, just sue in court as many times as you need to until you find a judge who will give you an injunction.

Once again, college athletics faces a critical crossroads. Hopefully, the NCAA prevails this time.