​  Texas Tech is sharpening its knives as the Big 12 considers sanctions against the school if it decides to play quarterback Brendan Sorsby this fall. The Texas Attorney General’s office put the conference on notice Thursday, warning in a formal letter on behalf of Texas Tech that any attempt to sanction the school would constitute a per se antitrust violation and expose the conference to more than $200 million in liability. The letter came in direct response to discussions among the conference to punish Tech after a judge on Monday provided Sorsby a temporary injunction against the NCAA, prohibiting the organization from banning the quarterback from participating in the upcoming season after he admitted to sports betting, including on games at Indiana during his time as a backup in 2022. The letter specifically outlines a bylaw Big 12 leaders are considering as a punishment, which permits the conference to sanction a school if a supermajority (12 of 15 schools) determines Texas Tech engaged in conduct materially adverse to the conference’s best interests. 
Texas Tech isn’t protecting integrity — it’s protecting its quarterbackRichard Johnson
The letter was signed by the state’s chief of the Antitrust Division and the chief of the General Litigation Division. The Big 12 received the letter shortly before its executive board meeting, which includes four university presidents. After the meeting, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said action is still under discussion and that “all options remain on the table.” Echoing the attorney general’s letter, noted attorney Jeffrey Kessler sent a similar letter to the Big 12 on behalf of Sorsby, warning of potential litigation if the school or Sorsby is sanctioned by the Big 12.”What does it say about the Big 12 if it decides to lawlessly violate a court order?” Kessler wrote. “What message does it send to its students if its response to a lawful court order is to be contemptuous of its terms? One would expect something more honorable from the conference and its member schools.”In preparation for a potential lawsuit, Kessler also asked that the Big 12 and its members preserve documents related to Sorsby and the court’s order.Kessler, the attorney who successfully negotiated a resolution to the multi-billion-dollar House v. NCAA settlement last year, represented Sorsby in his successful push for a temporary injunction against the NCAA earlier this month.”Sentiment among the Executive Board was no different from what we heard from the ADs earlier this week,” Yormark said in a statement released Thursday afternoon. “Our discussion with the full board will determine our course of action, and all options remain on the table.” Brendan Sorsby fallout: Georgia, Nebraska boycott future games vs. Texas Tech as Big 12, Big Ten mull actionBrendan Sorsby granted 2026 eligibility: Texas Tech QB wins injunction vs. NCAA amid gambling probeStunning Brendan Sorsby ruling raises the question: Can anything save the   CBS Sports Headlines