Texas Tech Leaving the Big 12 for the SEC?

The relationship between Texas Tech and the Big 12 has reached an unprecedented nadir following the fallout from the Brendan Sorsby gambling saga. While the university officially remains a member of the conference, the internal atmosphere suggests that Lubbock no longer views the league as a "home," but rather as a hostile environment. The friction intensified when Texas Tech supported Sorsby following a court-ordered injunction that allowed him to play, despite his admission of betting on football games. This move drew fierce condemnation from other Big 12 athletic departments. Many Red Raider fans now view this backlash as rank hypocrisy, noting that rivals who have aggressively utilized unregulated NIL collectives and roster tampering are now positioning themselves as guardians of "competitive integrity." The coordinated threats of boycotts from other league members did not intimidate the Texas Tech fan base; instead, it alienated them, fueling a growing sentiment that the university has outgrown the conference's administrative volatility. Legal intervention further solidified this divide. When the conference considered sanctions, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton issued a stern warning, noting that any coordinated effort to punish Texas Tech would violate federal antitrust laws and expose the league and its members to over $200 million in liability. Despite this turmoil, the institution remains a powerhouse within the league’s ecosystem, recently boasting a conference-leading seven selections on the 2026 Preseason All-Big 12 team. However, the disconnect is palpable: while the Big 12 attempts to maintain a facade of "16 strong," Texas Tech appears ready to prioritize its own brand and survival over a conference that many in Lubbock now believe is actively rooting for their failure. Everydayer ClubIf you never miss an episode, it’s time to make it official. Join the Locked On Everydayer Club and get ad-free audio, access to our members-only Discord, and more — all built for our most loyal fans. Click here to learn more and join your team’s community: https://lockedonpodcasts.com/everydayerclub   Support Us By Supporting Our Sponsors!   Odoo Great organizations win because operations matter. And that’s why you should get Odoo. Try for free today at https://Odoo.com/lockedon. Indeed Listeners of this show get a $75 Sponsored Job Credit to help give your job the premium placement it deserves at http://Indeed.com/podcast FanDuel Today's episode is brought to you by FanDuel. From the opening whistle to the final kick, Let There Be Goals on FanDuel. Visit https://FANDUEL.COM to get started now.   FANDUEL DISCLAIMER: 21+ in select states. First online real money wager only. Bonus issued as nonwithdrawable free bets that expires in 14 days. Restrictions apply. See terms at sportsbook.fanduel.com. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER or visit FanDuel.com/RG (CO, IA, MD, MI, NJ, PA, IL, VA, WV), 1-800-NEXT-STEP or text NEXTSTEP to 53342 (AZ), 1-888-789-7777 or visit ccpg.org/chat (CT), 1-800-9-WITH-IT (IN), 1-800-522-4700 (WY, KS) or visit ksgamblinghelp.com (KS), 1-877-770-STOP (LA), 1-877-8-HOPENY or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), TN REDLINE 1-800-889-9789 (TN) Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.