HOUSTON (AP) — Texas Tech's sports leadership is defending its plans to play quarterback Brendan Sorsby next season while he treats his gambling addiction. Coach Joey McGuire, speaking Wednesday, acknowledges criticism, including from the NCAA president. McGuire says society accepts other issues but unites against gambling. Athletic director Kirby Hocutt states their role is to support Sorsby's recovery, not manipulate eligibility. A court order suspended Sorsby for the first two games, but the NCAA plans to appeal the overall decision.
UNDATED (AP) — The controversy over gambling in college sports has intensified with Texas Tech quarterback Brendan Sorsby's court victory. College players betting on their own teams is widely condemned, but resolving the issue is complex. This week, Nebraska and Georgia urged their coaches not to schedule games with Texas Tech. Meanwhile, the Big 12 is debating its response. The case highlights the challenges of regulating college sports, especially with legal sports gambling widespread and lucrative sponsorships involved. Without legal protections, the NCAA struggles to enforce rules, leaving the future of college sports governance uncertain.
EUGENE, Ore. (AP) — Auburn junior Ja’Kobe Tharp broke the world record in the 110-meter hurdles at 12.75 seconds Wednesday in the semifinal round on Day 1 of the NCAA outdoor track and field championships. Tharp became the first individual since Dwight Stones in the high jump 50 years ago to break a world record at the NCAA championships. Tharp, who improved his personal best by 0.26 seconds, broke Grant Holloway’s collegiate record of 12.98 and the world record of 12.80 set by Aries Merritt in 2012. New Mexico’s Habtom Samuel won the day’s only track event final with a time of 27 minutes, 51.31 seconds in the 10,000 meters. It was the second title for Samuel, who also won the race in 2024.
SAN JOSE, Calif. (AP) — A federal magistrate is considering whether multimedia rights companies representing university athletic departments must follow the same rules for third-party name-image-likeness payments to players. Magistrate Nathanael Cousins heard arguments Wednesday and could rule on the matter by next week. Schools often work with MMRs to arrange NIL deals with athletes. Plaintiffs' attorney Jeffrey Kessler argued that boosters should be considered associated entities, but not MMRs. If Cousins agrees, these deals would face scrutiny by the College Sports Commission.
OMAHA, Neb. (AP) — The College World Series opens in Omaha, Nebraska, on Friday with Troy and West Virginia squaring off in a matchup of first-time participants. Mississippi and North Carolina meet in the second game. The first-round games Saturday pit Oklahoma against Alabama and Texas against Georgia. The last six national champions have come from the Southeastern Conference. Five SEC teams are in this year's CWS.
