Brendan Sorsby was ranked as the No. 1 player in ESPN’s college football transfer portal for 2026, and top programs quickly lined up to recruit him. He visited Texas Tech and LSU, while Indiana and Miami also showed interest. On January 4, 2026, Sorsby chose Texas Tech. His new NIL deal was reportedly worth around $5 million for the 2026 season, putting him among the best-paid players in college football.
The Deal He Signed With Cincinnati
Before the 2025 season, Sorsby signed an 18-month NIL contract with the University of Cincinnati on July 1, 2025, covering two seasons and running through December 15, 2026. The deal included payments tied to the school’s revenue and was meant to keep Sorsby at Cincinnati through his last year of eligibility. But buried in the contract was a major catch: if Sorsby left before the deal ended, he would owe $1 million in damages.
Sorsby Had a Great 2025 Season
Nov 29, 2025; Fort Worth, Texas, USA; TCU Horned Frogs safety Jamel Johnson (2) tackle Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) during the second half at Amon G. Carter Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jerome Miron-Imagn Images
Sorsby did everything asked of him in year one. He started all 12 games for Cincinnati in 2025, completing 61.6% of his passes for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns, and only 5 interceptions. He also ran for 580 yards and 9 touchdowns, helping Cincinnati finish 7-5. The school paid him $875,800 for the season he played in full.
Sorsby Decides to Leave
On December 1, 2025, Sorsby told Cincinnati he was leaving and would skip the AutoZone Liberty Bowl against Navy. He officially entered the transfer portal on January 2, 2026, and committed to Texas Tech just days later. Texas Tech even put up a digital billboard in Times Square to celebrate the signing.
Cincinnati Takes Him to Court
Nov 1, 2025; Salt Lake City, Utah, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) warms up before the game against the Utah Utes at Rice-Eccles Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Rob Gray-Imagn Images
On February 26, 2026, Cincinnati filed a lawsuit in federal court in Ohio, accusing Sorsby of breaking his contract. The school is asking for $1 million — the exact amount set out in the deal — and wants it paid within 30 days. Court documents say Sorsby’s representative told the school that Sorsby “refuses to pay the University anything.”
The School’s Words Don’t Match Its Actions
Nov 15, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby walks off the field after his team’s loss to the Arizona Wildcats at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Cincinnati put out a public statement saying it was “proud to partner with its student-athletes” and that Sorsby had “committed to stay and play for two seasons as a proud Bearcat representative.” The school said it planned to enforce that commitment as responsible managers of university money. But critics pointed out that Cincinnati had previously described Sorsby’s exit as friendly, which is hard to square with a million-dollar federal lawsuit.
Sorsby’s Agent Pushes Back
Oct 25, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) avoids a tackle by Baylor Bears safety Micah Gifford (24) as he runs with the ball for a touchdown in the second half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Sorsby’s agent, Ron Slavin of Lift Sports Management, called the $1 million claim “misguided.” He argued that the damages clause is actually an illegal penalty under Ohio law. Slavin said Sorsby “generated millions in value” for Cincinnati while he was there, meaning the school made plenty of money off the relationship. The legal fight will come down to whether the $1 million was a fair estimate of what Cincinnati lost — or just a punishment for leaving.
Other Schools Are Doing the Same Thing
Oct 11, 2025; Columbia, Missouri, USA; Missouri Tigers defensive end Damon Wilson II (8) celebrates after recovering a fumble during the second half against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Faurot Field at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Jay Biggerstaff-Imagn Images
Cincinnati is not the first school to sue a player over an NIL contract. Georgia sued defensive end Damon Wilson for $390,000 after he transferred to Missouri following the 2024 season. Duke took a similar approach with quarterback Darian Mensah, and that case was settled in late January 2026 with Mensah paying an undisclosed amount to move on to Miami. Each of these cases tests whether schools can legally enforce such penalty clauses.
The Numbers That Could Change College Sports
Oct 25, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby walks off the field after defeating the Baylor Bears at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
The math here is striking. Cincinnati paid Sorsby $875,800 for one season, then turned around and sued him for $1 million — more than they ever paid him — after he left for a deal worth roughly $5 million. That $1 million works out to a 20% tax on his new contract just for switching schools. If courts allow these clauses to stand, the transfer portal could go from being a path to freedom to a toll road that only rich programs and top players can afford.
What Happens Next
Oct 25, 2025; Cincinnati, Ohio, USA; Cincinnati Bearcats quarterback Brendan Sorsby (2) runs with the ball against the Baylor Bears in the first half at Nippert Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Aaron Doster-Imagn Images
Sorsby is set to play for Texas Tech in 2026, joining a program that won the 2025 Big 12 Championship and made the College Football Playoff. But the lawsuit is not going away. If Cincinnati wins or forces a settlement — as Duke did in just seven days — it could set a standard where every NIL contract includes a big penalty for leaving. For now, this case is a major test of whether schools can financially punish athletes for using the transfer portal as it was designed to be used.
If you enjoyed this article, please like and follow us here on MSN! Thank you for reading, and have a great day!
Sources:
ESPN, “Cincinnati sues Sorsby over $1M exit fee after Texas Tech transfer,” February 24, 2026
Sports Illustrated, “No. 1 transfer portal QB earns $5 million NIL deal from major college football program,” January 4, 2026
The Athletic / New York Times, “Cincinnati sues ex-QB Brendan Sorsby for $1 million buyout after Texas Tech transfer,” February 25, 2026
ESPN, “QB Brendan Sorsby, top player in portal, commits to Texas Tech,” January 4, 2026
Front Office Sports, “Cincinnati-Sorsby Lawsuit Marks Latest NIL Court Fight in CFB,” February 25, 2026
Fox News, “Cincinnati sues former quarterback Brendan Sorsby over $1M NIL buyout after Texas Tech transfer,” February 25, 2026
