NFL hopeful who bet on his college team reaches decision on his future
After being denied the opportunity to enter the NFL via the supplemental draft, former Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby has no plans to sue the league.
Sorsby, who previously admitted to betting on pro and college sports games - including on his own team - while he was a practice squad quarterback at Indiana, hoped to use the supplemental draft process to enter the NFL.
However, the NFL decided to not go through with the process this season - shutting a door to Sorsby's entry in 2026.
On Tuesday, Sorsby and the NFL Players Association announced they wouldn't be pursuing litigation against the league. One report from NFL Network's Tom Pelissero described this as the result of reaching a 'settlement' with the league.
'We have confirmed with the NFLPA and Brendan Sorsby that there will be no further litigation regarding his entry into the NFL - and that instead, Mr. Sorsby will focus on his preparation for entry into the League via the 2027 NFL Draft,' read a memo sent to all 32 NFL teams obtained by the Daily Mail.
'For the purposes of League and CBA rules, Mr. Sorsby will be considered a "Draft-Eligible" player for the 2027 NFL Draft. Mr. Sorsby will not be eligible to sign an NFL Player Contract until the completion of the 2027 NFL Draft.'
Controversial former college quarterback Brendan Sorsby will not be suing the NFL for entry after his denial of a chance at the supplemental draft
Sorsby, who sued for his eligibility to play at Texas Tech, will be draft eligible in 2027
The NFL will not discipline Sorsby for currently-known prior misconduct, a league source told the Daily Mail. However, the league retains the right to investigate Sorsby's conduct beyond what is currently in the public findings.
Additionally, the source added that the NFL is reserving the right to take Sorsby's past college misconduct into consideration in setting discipline for any future violations.
Sorsby released a statement of his own on Tuesday, saying, 'I accept 100% responsibility for my actions.
'I did not have control of my gambling problem and it took getting caught for me to realize that, but it was truly the best thing that could've happened to me. Because of this, I have been able to get the help I need and fully focus on my recovery.'
He continued, 'The news about the supplemental draft changes nothing about my recovery journey -- I will continue to take it one day at a time. Focusing on making myself better throughout this process and making sure to share what I have learned and will continue to learn with others going forward.
'I am fully committed to being the best version of myself that I can be while getting ready for the 2027 draft. God makes no mistakes and I look forward to seeing the good that is to come from this.'
Sorsby was considered one of the top prospects in this offseason's transfer portal before the story of his past gambling came to light.
As a reaction to that story, Sorsby was ruled ineligible to play by the NCAA. Sorsby sued the collegiate sports governing body and was issued a temporary injunction by a Texas judge which would have allowed him to play at Texas Tech this season.
The NFL chose not to hold a supplemental draft, blocking Sorsby's pathway to the league
This ruling drew a strong response from college athletics departments across the country and led to the Big XII Conference (of which Texas Tech is a member) filing in federal court with the aim of punishing Sorsby and the school.
In light of that filing, Sorsby withdrew his suit against the NCAA and declared for the eventually-canceled supplemental draft.
Sorsby has limited options to play this summer. Last week, the Canadian Football League banned him from joining any team in the upcoming season.
In a statement to USA Today, the CFL said, 'Upholding the integrity of the league and ensuring fair competition are paramount to the CFL. The allegations involving Brendan Sorsby are serious and concerning.'
'At this time, the CFL will not register a contract for him, and no team will be permitted to add him to its negotiation list.'
Sorsby was found to have placed thousands of bets on his own team while he was a backup at Indiana. The quarterback, who also played at Cincinnati, hoped to play in the NFL this season.
Sorsby had not previously expressed his desire to play football in Canada, but his options are now much slimmer than they were before.
The only league that has publicly invited Sorsby to join their team is the UFL - with lead owner Mike Repole extending an offer on social media to join the Dallas Renegades.
'The UFL is the league of opportunity,' Repole posted to X on June 23. 'We created our Regional Player Initiative to keep great players closer to home, closer to their fans, and on the field. Let's do this!!!!!'
Repole closed the tweet by inviting Sorsby to 'have your people call my people!'
Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
