A day before Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton warned the Big 12 in a letter that sanctioning Texas Tech for having quarterback Brendan Sorsby on their football team could expose the conference to at least $200 million in damages and fees, the school’s top booster donated to Paxton’s Senate campaign.

Cody Campbell, a former standout Red Raiders offensive lineman who had a brief NFL career before becoming an oil tycoon and is the current Texas Tech Board of Regents chairman, donated $274,300 to the fundraising committee Paxton Victory on June 10, according to FEC records, as first noted by the Texas Tribune.

Paxton’s letter was sent on June 11.

Quarterback Brendan Sorsby during Texas Tech’s spring game on April 17, 2026. Getty Images for ONIT

The NCAA ruled Sorsby ineligible in May after he admitted to placing thousand of online bets, violating NCAA rules. At least 40 of his wagers involved Indiana football while he was a member of the team, though he did not play in the games he wagered on.

Sorsby, 22, sued and was granted a temporary injunction by a Texas judge on June 8 that restored his eligibility, which included a two-game suspension.

The Big 12 then filed a federal lawsuit against Paxton, Texas Tech and school officials on June 14 seeking “a declaratory judgment that the First Amendment protects the Conference’s right to invoke its authority under its Bylaws to sanction” the school.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Houston Chronicle via Getty Imag Texas Tech booster Cody Campbell. Getty Images

Sorsby then withdrew his lawsuit and declared for the NFL supplemental draft. However, the league chose not to hold a supplemental draft, and he now must wait to enter the 2027 NFL Draft.

Sorsby was Cincinnati’s starting QB the last two seasons and in 2025 threw for 2,800 yards, 27 touchdowns and five interceptions in 12 games, adding 580 yards rushing and nine rushing touchdowns.

Campbell declined comment to the Texas Tribune, which said Paxton’s campaign and Texas Tech didn’t responds to requests for comment.

Paxton, the Republican nominee for the Texas U.S. Senate seat, will face Democratic nominee James Talarico in a November election.