The Brendan Sorsby Case: A Reminder of the Importance of Intelligence-Led Due Diligence
One of the most widely discussed stories in college athletics this year involves quarterback Brendan Sorsby and publicly reported allegations related to sports betting activity during his time at Indiana University and the University of Cincinnati. The matter gained national attention following Sorsby's transfer to Texas Tech University under a reported $6 million NIL agreement. According to public reporting, the NCAA was alerted to the alleged betting activity after receiving information from a licensed sportsbook regarding wagering that was reportedly prohibited under applicable laws and NCAA rules.
The situation has placed multiple universities under public scrutiny, raising questions about what institutions knew, when they knew it, and whether sufficient due diligence was conducted. Indiana University has not been publicly implicated as having prior knowledge of the alleged conduct. Sorsby's representative has alleged that the University of Cincinnati was aware of the concerns, an allegation the university has publicly denied. Texas Tech has acknowledged taking steps to address the situation after becoming aware of the reported concerns.
Why This Matters
The financial stakes associated with Name, Image, and Likeness (NIL) agreements continue to grow, with some contracts rivaling those of professional athletes. As institutions make increasingly significant investments in student-athletes, understanding potential integrity, reputational, and compliance risks becomes just as important as evaluating athletic performance.
While many NIL agreements include morality or conduct clauses that allow institutions to terminate agreements after misconduct is identified, those provisions are inherently reactive. By the time they are invoked, reputational harm may already have occurred, public confidence may be affected, and organizations may face heightened regulatory or NCAA scrutiny.
A proactive, intelligence-led due diligence program helps institutions identify potential risks before agreements are executed, enabling more informed decision-making and stronger risk management.
Considerations for Athletic Programs
- Conduct intelligence-led due diligence for athletes being considered for significant NIL agreements, supplementing traditional criminal background checks with broader reputational and behavioral risk assessments.
- Evaluate publicly available online activity, including social media, for indicators of conduct, associations, or patterns that may present integrity or reputational concerns.
- Establish ongoing monitoring for high-profile athletes whose public visibility and institutional affiliation create elevated reputational risk.
- Develop clear escalation and decision-making processes when credible risk indicators are identified before or after an athlete joins the program.
How Sentinel Can Help
Sentinel helps organizations identify, assess, and respond to emerging integrity, compliance, and reputational risks through intelligence-led due diligence, continuous monitoring, investigative support, training, and strategic advisory services.
As the NIL landscape continues to evolve, organizations that invest in proactive intelligence capabilities are better positioned to identify potential risks early, make informed decisions, and protect their athletes, institutions, and brands.
To learn more, contact Sentinel at info@sentinel.security