University of Cincinnati Sues Former Player Over NIL Violation
The University of Cincinnati has initiated legal action against former quarterback Brendan Thorsby, claiming he breached a name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreement after transferring to Texas Tech University last month.
According to the lawsuit filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the university asserts that Thorsby did not pay a $1 million buyout fee, which he was obligated to pay within 30 days of his departure from the program.
Thorsby signed with the Bearcats in July 2025, with his contract covering the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
In a statement to the Associated Press, the university expressed pride in its partnership with student-athletes, emphasizing the expectation for athletes to uphold their contractual obligations as well. It mentioned that Thorsby’s lucrative NIL contract committed him to remain with the Bearcats for two seasons and included provisions for material damages in case of an early departure.
In December, Thorsby declared his intent to enter the transfer portal after a productive season, where he passed for 2,800 yards, recorded 27 touchdowns, and only five interceptions. He also rushed for 580 yards, contributing nine touchdowns.
His statement acknowledged the coaching staff’s influence on his growth both as a quarterback and as an individual, thanking them for their support.
After making his decision, Thorsby quickly announced his new commitment to Texas Tech University.
Thorsby’s agent, Ron Slavin, indicated that they plan to challenge the lawsuit, arguing that the player received $875,800 from the university but generated considerable value for the program during his time there. Slavin stated that pursuing the recovery of funds now would send a detrimental message to future student-athletes and could damage the reputation of Cincinnati football. He further claimed that the university’s attempt to recover the money constitutes an illegal fine under Ohio law.
This lawsuit emerges amid a chaotic period in college athletics. Recently, there have been similar cases, such as Damond Williams Jr., who faced pressure to accept a $4 million buyout from Washington before backing out of a transfer announcement. Duke also settled a lawsuit with quarterback Darian Mensah prior to his transfer to Miami.
