Cincinnati sues former quarterback Brendan Sorsby over $1M NIL buyout after Texas Tech transfer

Fox News Flash top sports headlines are here. Check out what's clicking on FoxNews.com.

The University of Cincinnati became the latest university to sue one of its former players, claiming that former quarterback Brendan Sorsby violated his name, image and likeness (NIL) deal after transferring to Texas Tech last month. 

In a lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the university alleged that Sorsby did not pay the $1 million buyout fee that was due within 30 days of transferring out of the program. 

Brendan Sorsby (2) of the Cincinnati Bearcats laughs during warmups before their game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah, on Nov. 1, 2025. (Chris Gardner/Getty Images)

He signed with the Bearcats in July 2025, and his deal was for the 2025 and 2026 seasons. 

CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON FOXNEWS.COM

"Cincinnati Athletics is proud to partner with its student-athletes and honors the contractual commitments it makes to them. We expect student-athletes and their representatives to do the same," the university said in a statement to The Associated Press.

 "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. Cincinnati Athletics intends to enforce that contractual commitment."

Sorsby announced in December that he would be entering the transfer portal after he passed for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions last season. He added another ​​580 yards and nine touchdowns on the