One After the Other: CFL Says “No” to Sorby Amid Gambling Controversy

The Canadian Football League (CFL) has officially ruled out quarterback Brendan Sorsby from joining the league, marking another major setback for the 22-year-old whose career has been overshadowed by a gambling controversy that continues to close doors across professional football.

All About Integrity 

Similar to the National Football League’s argument last week when it announced it canceled the Supplemental Draft for 2026, shutting the door to Sorsby, the CFL said protecting the integrity of the game remains its highest priority. 

The league has also confirmed that no contract involving Sorsby will be registered and no team will be allowed to put him on any negotiation list.

The decision follows a series of disciplinary actions and eligibility disputes involving Sorsby, who has previously admitted to placing thousands of sports bets during his time as a college athlete. 

According to reports, some of those wagers included bets on his own team while he was playing for Indiana University between 2022 and 2023.

The National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) rules strictly prohibit student athletes from betting on any NCAA-sanctioned sport, and violations involving one’s own team are considered among the most serious offenses. 

The NCAA ultimately deemed Sorsby as permanently ineligible, preventing him from competing after his transfer to Texas Tech, despite a reported NIL valuation worth around $5 million.

Brief Relief

Sorsby later challenged the ruling in court and briefly secured a temporary injunction that allowed him to resume his college football career. 

However, his situation quickly became more complicated when Big 12 programs reportedly pushed back, warning they would enforce internal rules that could affect Texas Tech’s standing if he remained on the roster.

Faced with escalating uncertainty, Sorsby withdrew his legal challenge and explored alternative routes to professional football, including potential entry into the NFL Supplemental Draft. 

That option disappeared when the NFL confirmed the draft would not take place this year, instead advising him to consider eligibility for the 2027 NFL Draft cycle.

With NFL and NCAA opportunities effectively closed for now, the CFL had been viewed as one of the few remaining pathways for the quarterback to continue his career. The league, which has long served as a destination for players seeking a second chance, has previously included high-profile figures such as Johnny Manziel.