University of Cincinnati wants $1 million from quarterback who transferred after lucrative NIL deal

[douglas9]

CINCINNATI (CN) — College quarterback Brendan Sorsby’s transfer from the University of Cincinnati at the end of the 2025 season violated his name, image and likeness contract and makes him liable for $1 million in damages, the school claims in a federal lawsuit.

Sorsby, ranked by ESPN as the number one player available in college football’s offseason “transfer portal,” committed to play the 2026 season at Texas Tech University after he led the UC Bearcats to a 12-12 record over his two years with the team.

At the start of last season, the quarterback signed an 18-month, two-season NIL deal with Cincinnati, which allowed the university to use him in marketing and promotional materials.

This contract included a $1 million buyout if Sorsby transferred before the 2026 season, a provision triggered when he signed with Texas Tech shortly after he entered the transfer portal on Jan. 2, according to school officials in the suit filed Wednesday.

Reports indicate the quarterback’s new deal with Texas Tech will pay him between $4 million and $6 million for a single year.

https://www.courthousenews.com/university-of-cincinnati-wants-1-million-from-quarterback-who-transferred-after-lucrative-nil-deal/

[RandySF]

1. It's reasonable.

If these kids want to be paid like professionals they need to act it as well.

[bamagal62]

2. I was just waiting for this to happen.

This has been my question all along....
do they have to repay NIL if they transfer?
Maybe this will cause college sports to get some actual rules in place for NIL as well as transfer portal.