SI

Cincinnati Files Suit Against Ex-Quarterback Brendan Sorsby

The Bearcats want compensation after losing their well-regarded gunslinger.
Cincinnati and its former quarterback—Brendan Sorsby—appear set for a court battle.
Cincinnati and its former quarterback—Brendan Sorsby—appear set for a court battle. | Nathan Giese/Avalanche-Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

After losing quarterback Brendan Sorsby to Texas Tech this offseason, Cincinnati is taking him to court.

The Bearcats have brought a lawsuit against Sorsby in Ohio that alleges a breach of contract, per court documents obtained and reported upon by Justin Williams of The Athletic Wednesday.

Sorsby, 22, announced his transfer to the Red Raiders on Jan. 4. Cincinnati, per Williams, is alleging that Sorsby owes the school “a $1 million buyout in the form of liquidated damages” after breaking a multi-year agreement between the two parties.

“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,” the university told Williams in a statement.

This lawsuit represents a new front in a growing war between transferring players and schools accusing them of going back on their financial promises. Duke sued former quarterback Darian Mensah on Jan. 20 after he attempted to leave for Miami, settling a week later. Washington quarterback Demond Williams Jr. nearly found himself the defendant of a suit from the Huskies before reneging on a Jan. 6 decision to transfer.

The Red Raiders and Bearcats are scheduled to play on Oct. 24 in the Queen City.


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Patrick Andres
PATRICK ANDRES

Patrick Andres is a staff writer on the Breaking and Trending News team at Sports Illustrated. He joined SI in December 2022, having worked for The Blade, Athlon Sports, Fear the Sword and Diamond Digest. Andres has covered everything from zero-attendance Big Ten basketball to a seven-overtime college football game. He is a graduate of Northwestern University's Medill School of Journalism with a double major in history .