University of Cincinnati Sues Former Quarterback Brendan Thorsby
The University of Cincinnati has initiated a lawsuit against former quarterback Brendan Thorsby, claiming he breached a name, image, and likeness (NIL) agreement after transferring to Texas Tech in January.
Filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Ohio, the lawsuit states that Thorsby failed to pay a $1 million buyout fee, which he was obligated to settle within 30 days upon his departure from the university.
Thorsby joined Cincinnati in July 2025 and played key roles during the 2025 and 2026 seasons.
The university expressed, “Cincinnati Athletics is proud to partner with our student-athletes and honors our contractual commitments to them. We expect the same from our student-athletes and their representatives.”
According to the terms of his NIL contract, Thorsby was supposed to remain with the Bearcats for two seasons and agreed to cover specified damages if he left early. Cincinnati aims to uphold its contractual obligations.
In December, Thorsby recorded 2,800 passing yards, with 27 touchdowns and five interceptions, and announced plans to enter the transfer portal in 2025. He also accumulated 580 rushing yards and nine touchdowns.
Interestingly, Cincinnati’s move reflects a broader trend of universities taking legal action against college football players over NIL agreements and transfer issues.
In a statement, Thorsby expressed gratitude towards his coaches and teammates, mentioning how his experiences shaped him both as an athlete and as an individual. He noted that, “After much prayer and thoughtful consideration, I have made the decision to enter the transfer portal.” Soon after, he confirmed his intention to enroll at Texas Tech.
Thorsby’s agent, Ron Slavin, indicated that the quarterback intends to contest the lawsuit, highlighting that during his time at Cincinnati, he generated significant revenue for the program, more than the $875,800 he was paid. Slavin argued that the university’s efforts to reclaim funds might send a damaging message to current and prospective student-athletes, emphasizing that the money in question could be considered an illegal fine under Ohio law.
