POWERS #398 - Cody Campbell - Saving College Sports, NIL, & A $7B Opportunity
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Nov 18, 2025 Cody Campbell, a former college football player and Texas Tech board member, shares his insights on the transformation within college athletics. He discusses how changing laws opened opportunities for schools like Texas Tech to thrive amid chaos. Cody highlights the financial strain on athletic departments and the risks to smaller sports. He advocates for federal reform as crucial for stability and warns against the influences of private equity and fragmented media rights. With a focus on preserving the cultural importance of college sports, he inspires action for meaningful change.
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Lubbock's Passion Fueled Rapid Support
- Cody recounted the intense local passion and donor support at Texas Tech that made fundraising successful.
- He noted ~90% of solicited alumni gave and that community energy amplified on-field momentum.
Why The NCAA Lost Legal Control
- Court rulings and state laws eroded NCAA authority, framing it as a cartel under antitrust law.
- Cody argues only a new governing body with limited antitrust exemption can restore enforceable rules.
The Hidden Budget Crisis In College Sports
- Most FBS athletic departments run large deficits, averaging ~$20M annually per school.
- That shortfall forces trade-offs that endanger Olympic and non-revenue sports.