- Joined
- May 8, 2002
- Posts
- 1,170,954
- Reaction score
- 59
Kansas Attorney General Kris Kobach is backing the Big 12, arguing the conference can punish Texas Tech amid a sports betting scandal.
Kobach's June 15 letter comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened potential legal action against the Big 12 if the conference sanctions Texas Tech over quarterback Brendan Sorsby's gambling. Kobach said Paxton's antitrust claims "are incorrect."
"The Big 12 should not be intimidated by the Texas AG's Office," Kobach said in a post on X. "The Kansas Attorney General's Office stands ready to assist the Big 12."
Kobach, a Republican, is typically on the same side of legal issues as Paxton. Their offices have worked together on federal court cases in the past.
Kobach and Paxton are not the only state attorneys general weighing in on the Sorsby situation. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has urged the Big 12 to sanction Texas Tech.
While Kobach declined to opine on whether the Big 12 should punish Texas Tech or what the punishment should be, he argued the conference has the legal authority to do so. He also argued "it is important for the integrity of college football that the conference convene to analyze any applicable sanction."
"To assert that the Big 12 may not convene and sanction a Conference member's actions determined to be in violation of Conference rules undermines the contractually agreed purpose of being a member of the Big 12 Conference," Kobach said. "It also is not consistent with legal precedent."
Kobach announced his letter the same morning the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech and Paxton. That lawsuit was not addressed in his letter.
Kobach acknowledged the temporary injunction by a Texas state court against the NCAA. However, he said, "the injunction does not appear to prevent the Big 12 conference from convening and considering a sanction against Texas Tech or the athlete consistent with its own rules and Bylaws."
Kobach's letter was addressed to Big 12 commissioner Brent Yormark and University of Kansas chancellor Doug Girod, who chairs the Big 12 Board of Directors. He noted that Kansas has two Big 12 members — KU and Kansas State.
"If the Texas Attorney General's Office takes any action beyond its poorly reasoned letter, my office stands ready to assist the Conference with amicus support or other assistance, as appropriate," Kobach said. "The Big 12 Conference is an association that adopts and enforces its own rules. Conferences, consistent with established precedent, routinely have taken action to enforce their rules and bylaws when players, coaches, or a university have allegedly violated the rules."
More: Kansas State AD Gene Taylor has strong words on Brendan Sorsby ruling
Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: AG Kris Kobach says Big 12 can sanction Texas Tech, rebukes Ken Paxton
Continue reading...
Kobach's June 15 letter comes after Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton threatened potential legal action against the Big 12 if the conference sanctions Texas Tech over quarterback Brendan Sorsby's gambling. Kobach said Paxton's antitrust claims "are incorrect."
"The Big 12 should not be intimidated by the Texas AG's Office," Kobach said in a post on X. "The Kansas Attorney General's Office stands ready to assist the Big 12."
You must be registered for see images attach
Kobach, a Republican, is typically on the same side of legal issues as Paxton. Their offices have worked together on federal court cases in the past.
Kobach and Paxton are not the only state attorneys general weighing in on the Sorsby situation. Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has urged the Big 12 to sanction Texas Tech.
While Kobach declined to opine on whether the Big 12 should punish Texas Tech or what the punishment should be, he argued the conference has the legal authority to do so. He also argued "it is important for the integrity of college football that the conference convene to analyze any applicable sanction."
"To assert that the Big 12 may not convene and sanction a Conference member's actions determined to be in violation of Conference rules undermines the contractually agreed purpose of being a member of the Big 12 Conference," Kobach said. "It also is not consistent with legal precedent."
Kobach announced his letter the same morning the Big 12 filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Tech and Paxton. That lawsuit was not addressed in his letter.
Kobach acknowledged the temporary injunction by a Texas state court against the NCAA. However, he said, "the injunction does not appear to prevent the Big 12 conference from convening and considering a sanction against Texas Tech or the athlete consistent with its own rules and Bylaws."
You must be registered for see images attach
Kobach's letter was addressed to Big 12 commissioner Brent Yormark and University of Kansas chancellor Doug Girod, who chairs the Big 12 Board of Directors. He noted that Kansas has two Big 12 members — KU and Kansas State.
"If the Texas Attorney General's Office takes any action beyond its poorly reasoned letter, my office stands ready to assist the Conference with amicus support or other assistance, as appropriate," Kobach said. "The Big 12 Conference is an association that adopts and enforces its own rules. Conferences, consistent with established precedent, routinely have taken action to enforce their rules and bylaws when players, coaches, or a university have allegedly violated the rules."
More: Kansas State AD Gene Taylor has strong words on Brendan Sorsby ruling
Jason Alatidd is a Statehouse reporter for The Topeka Capital-Journal. He can be reached by email at [email protected]. Follow him on X @Jason_Alatidd.
This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: AG Kris Kobach says Big 12 can sanction Texas Tech, rebukes Ken Paxton
Continue reading...
