Cincinnati Files $1 Million Claim Over QB’s Transfer to Texas Tech

The University of Cincinnati has taken legal action against former quarterback Brendan Sorsby, seeking a $1 million payout after he left for Texas Tech. Sorsby played two seasons in Cincinnati before moving to Texas Tech last month, even though a revenue‑sharing contract with Cincinnati still ran through December 2026. That agreement included a clause that would force Sorsby to pay $1 million in liquidated damages if he transferred before the contract ended. Cincinnati says the payment was due within 30 days of his transfer, but Sorsby’s agent declined to pay. The university has filed the complaint in U. S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, Western Division. The contract that triggered the lawsuit was signed in July 2025. It bound Sorsby to a two‑season name, image and likeness (NIL) deal that would pay him a large sum for the 2025 season, with Cincinnati expecting most of the benefits in 2026 as his brand grew. Sorsby agreed to pay the $1 million if he left before the contract finished, and that agreement was set to expire on December 15, 2026. The university says it reached out to Sorsby’s agent before filing the suit, but the agent said Sorsby would not pay. Sorsby’s new team, Texas Tech, knew about the buyout when he entered the transfer portal in December 2025.The Red Raiders factored the $1 million into their own revenue‑sharing budget, which must stay under a $20. 5 million cap for the 2025‑26 fiscal year. Texas Tech is not required to pay Cincinnati directly, but the buyout must be accounted for in its own calculations. This situation illustrates how new revenue‑sharing rules, established after the House v. NCAA settlement, let schools include buyout clauses in contracts with athletes. Similar disputes have surfaced this year. Washington’s quarterback Demond Williams almost left for another school, but he stayed after legal counsel weighed the potential $4 million buyout. Duke sued quarterback Darian Mensah when he considered transferring, but they eventually settled and he moved to Miami. These cases show that while revenue‑sharing contracts can be enforced, their legality and fairness are still debated. Sorsby was a standout in Cincinnati, throwing over 2 800 yards and rushing for more than 500 yards each season. He helped the Bearcats win a 7‑5 record and reach their first bowl game since 2022. Now, the outcome of Cincinnati’s lawsuit will decide whether he must pay the agreed $1 million or if the court finds the clause unenforceable.