Folks, did I not call this? If only I had bet money on it!
I know from personal experience that if this needed to be heard, it’s completely possible to get it heard much, much sooner than this. But, somewhere between the fine line that is urgency and seriousness is the lack of interest in even hearing this case, knowing that the plaintiff in this case holds zero regulatory authority and that the outcome is likely and open and shut case. Delay it, because what’s going to change, right?
And, yes, it’s been confirmed that he’ll be heard by a Red Raider group of judges:
It’s crazy, because it feels like the bigger entertainment value coming out of the NIL era of college football has not been on the field, but in the courtroom.
Tell me again what Todd Gurley did that was so egregious, during the “good ‘ole days” of college football? Hmmph.
Anyway, it’s been within 48 hours of the news coming out, and the Texas Tech folks are still chirping back about those of us in glass houses, and are righteously indignant to the slings and arrows of college football fandom. On one hand, they enjoy telling others that if it’s just a sin committed at another program, then look at how appropriate TTU’s response was to report, get Sorsby help, and take the…get this…”consequences” of the reporting.
On the other, they are firing back and telling the rest of college football to STFU because we’re all guilty of some sin. Technically, they’re not lying…every program has some skeletons in their closet. But what’s more shocking is the lack of willingness to accept that the school has effectively found a work around in what was considered – outside of domestic violence or felonies – completely taboo as a college athlete, which is gambling on college athletics, especially your own team.
They’re cluelessness is on par with Charles J. Guiteau, who famously assassinated President Garfield and expected to receive a Cabinet position in the next administration, seeing the act as his civic duty, and necessary. He also tried to get the courtroom to join along in sing-alongs. Their position that “it’s not as bad as it looks” is not just blind home-team support, it’s blindly ignoring the long-term ramifications that go beyond buying yourself a CFP eligible team, but making what already is a superstitious and suspect group of fandom question every play call, play, and outcome of every game, wondering if the boys in Vegas made sure the fix was in.
Case in point: a friend of mine long argued that Nick Saban and Bill Belichick were as successful as they were because they befriended the mid-west mafia during their time in Cleveland, and then took their connections to the east coast and the south and continued to profit off the partnership while in New England and while in LSU and Alabama. While I’m not so sure about the Southern Mafia, the Southern Political groups are not without their fair share of corruption and monkeyshines. Belichick is completely believable in that regard, as I never understood how someone like Bill accomplished what he did…with Tom Brady. And, the fact that is seems like Alabama has long gotten the lion’s share of favorable penalty calls and reversals in Saban’s time…well, I’m hooked.
Conspiracy? Crazy? Possible. Now, imagine my friend spinning that tale on the heels of the Sorsby decision.
Sounds completely possible and logical now, doesn’t it.
Maybe that’s the long game of the powers that be in College Football. Make it NFL-lite, let Vegas move the moneylines and allow for influence to reign supreme. Garner a new audience that’s more pro oriented and people will be hooked on five TVs not because they love the sport, but because the mortgage or a possible moneymaking empire are on the line.
Maybe that’s why the Powerball is drawn on Mondays and Saturdays. Well, also on Wednesdays, but you see where I’m going with this.
My tin hat is neatly pressed, fits tightly on my head, and I sit on my couch ready to watch, anyway. Whether it actually protects me from my eyes will be prepared to see, is another thing altogether.
Why can’t the NCAA order all games he plays will count as a loss. Seems almost like the NCAA is playing alone with the ineffective chattering.
Or those running the CFBP state until the case has a final ruling any team he plays on is bared from the CFP.
Or knowing the answer won’t stop me from asking the question. Is making more money the most important thing now driving CFB.
Because the restraining order likely bars the NCAA from taking any actions against TT before trial.
It seems the Big 12’s members (including Sorsby’s former school – Cincinnati) are just going to grumble to Yormark about it rather than taking any action. The Big 12 brass knows TT is their best hope for a team to make a deep playoff run, so they are going to go along for the cash.
JP, I tip my cap for your American history analogy!
I have been in my career a judge. It is uncomfortable to read and hear constant assurances that a case not even yet docketed will be decided a certain way solely by analyzing the judges’ alma maters.
The vast majority of judges I know try to be impartial and decide the case on the facts as they find them and the law as they interpret it.
We also recognize human nature and that the appearance of partiality undermines public confidence in the judiciary just as much as actual partiality does. That is why we have The Code of Judicial Conduct.
Query. Should a judge who is a Lumpkin School of Law at the University of Georgia and is assigned a case in which the University of Georgia is a party automatically disqualify herself or himself? A case such as whether a UGA vehicle driven by an employee in the course of employment hit another car causing serious injury?
What do you all think, especially those of you who are not lawyers?
If a donor to said athletic department, I would suggest yes.
Not because I think the judge would be corrupt but to avoid the perception of a conflict/bias.
Would assume your oath (as judge) covers the possibility of bias, right?
It depends. 😉
Shouldn’t that Chris Low Tweet be in the Auburn cry baby post? Or is crying about decisions UGA made 20 years ago the reason to get out of bed in the morning? UGA decided to say how high if the NCAA/SEC said jump. Did any of y’all cancel your tickets or withhold donations or boycott because of it? Move the bad word on. We have 12 devil worshipin’ teams lined up on paper that want a piece of us. It starts with whippin Tennessee State’s arse and then fifteen more. NOTHING ELSE IN THE HERSTORY OF THE WORLD MATTERS! If you want to lounge around in the Red Tent with all the other womyns and complain about the past have at it. Thankfully, Kirby is coaching dudes that run 4.4s and blow fools up that don’t care.
With some of the decisions made in the last few months, l for one question their motives. But this is true across a lot of cases that have been decided that don’t deal with sports. It looks like all the things are just free for alls. Without rule of law, where will we end up? I am not a lawyer!!
This decision checks out with the overall trendline of the country. Our collective moral compass is on full tilt right now.
Right now?
Dude, FSU let a known rapist of one of its students play for and win a Natl Championship in 2014/15.
https://www.cnn.com/2014/12/02/us/jameis-winston-fsu-hearing
Settlement….
https://www.cnn.com/2016/01/25/us/florida-state-fsu-settles-jameis-winston-rape-lawsuit
Great article from Dallas Morning News Tim Cowlishaw. Pretty much sums it up (IMHO).
https://www.dallasnews.com/sports/texas-tech-red-raiders/article/brendan-sorsby-ncaa-gambling-college-football-22297465.php
Scout team QB placed bets 3+ years ago. Gets two game suspension in era where attorneys litigate for immorality every day in college and pro sports. Move along.
They already let Michigan play knowing they cheated so this does not surprised me. The way that societies views on gambling have changed from it was an activity that lead to ruin to a society where it is celebrated despite the issues it can cause in society is astounding. I can believe he had an addiction however, he bet on his team and should not be allowed to play. Texas Tech is not helping him and every win they have will be suspect.
The NCAA/CFB do have a tendency to send mixed messages. I mean they accept every advertising dollar possible from the gambling industry. Obviously gambling (especially on your own team) is a red line almost universally agreed upon. Texas Tech, meanwhile has turned itself into a pariah in the sporting world. Yes, the fix is in regarding their judicial path, but collective action may pull the rug out from under this tidy little strategy.
First off, great reference to Charles Guiteau. If you haven’t watched “Death by Lighting” on Netflix, be sure to check it out.
What I’m waiting for is for some type of a creative (I.e. sleazy) lawyer to represent gambling losers in a class action lawsuit against the betting platforms for taking bets on games that Sorsby has or will play in, knowing that they could be fixed due to them taking bets from one of the players. The irony being that Kalshi would take bets on the outcome…