local
Texas Tech chair donated $275K to Ken Paxton day before AG intervened in Brendan Sorsby saga
By Kayla Guo at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS)
· July 16, 2026
· 5 min read
Last month, Attorney General Ken Paxton waded into the explosive college football saga involving Brendan Sorsby, the Texas Tech University quarterback who had admitted to placing thousands of improper sports bets, including on his own team’s games, resulting in the NCAA declaring him ineligible t...
Key takeaway In a June 11 letter, Paxton’s office warned the Big 12 Conference on behalf of Texas Tech that any move to sanction the university for fielding Sorsby would be “unlawful” and potentially expose it to $200 million in damages.
Why this matters in The Midland
The timing of Texas Tech Board of Regents Chair Cody Campbell's substantial donation to Attorney General Ken Paxton's fundraising committee raises questions about the influence of local power brokers on state-level politics. As a major donor to Texas Tech's athletics program and a vocal defender of quarterback Brendan Sorsby, Campbell's actions suggest a strong interest in protecting the university's reputation and athletic program. The fact that Paxton's office intervened on behalf of Texas Tech just one day after receiving the donation will likely fuel speculation about the relationship between Campbell's philanthropy and Paxton's official actions. In the context of Midland 's close-knit community, where local leaders often wear multiple hats, this development may prompt residents to consider the potential implications of such relationships on the integrity of public institutions and the democratic process. The upcoming Senate race between Paxton and James Talarico will be closely watched in the Permian Basin area.
About this story
Original reporting by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . The Midland surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: local ·
Published: July 16, 2026 ·
Source: KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) ·
Reading time: 5 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? Last month, Attorney General Ken Paxton waded into the explosive college football saga involving Brendan Sorsby, the Texas Tech University quarterback who had admitted to placing thousands of improper sports bets, including on his own team’s games, resulting in the NCAA declaring him ineligible t...
When was this published? This article was first published on July 16, 2026 by KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS) and curated for The Midland readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Kayla Guo at KOSA CBS7 / First Alert 7 (Permian Basin CBS). To learn more about how The Midland selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more local coverage from The Midland, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .
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