Sorsby gambling addiction casts light on issue that could affect thousands of college athletes
Brendan Sorsby’s gambling addiction highlights widespread, underreported problem gambling among male college athletes amid rising sports betting access and earnings.Summary
Since the U.S. Supreme Court enabled legal sports gambling nationwide, college sports have faced mounting scandals involving coaches, players, and associates, alongside debates on whether athletes may legally bet on pro or college games. The case of Brendan Sorsby, a Texas Tech quarterback who stepped away to seek treatment for gambling addiction, has drawn attention to estimates that thousands of male college athletes engage in compulsive gambling. NCAA surveys show significant shares of male athletes have placed sports bets, with mobile platforms driving growth and problem gambling potentially affecting about 6,000 athletes annually. Experts note that young, competitive male athletes often fit high-risk profiles due to traits like low risk aversion and a refusal to lose, and that increased earnings from name, image, and likeness deals can normalize larger bets. Fear of eligibility loss discourages disclosure, and while the NCAA requires athletic department staff to report gambling, options for confidential help remain limited. Researchers and educators are developing curricula to teach athletes about gambling addiction and healthy decision-making, and stakeholders are urging the NCAA to balance integrity protections with robust support resources.
(Source：Baltimore Sun)