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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How Texas Tech Executed A Portal Blitz
- Cody Campbell described Texas Tech's deliberate plan to front-load NIL money and promise future revenue share to quickly acquire portal talent.
- The staff evaluated all candidates nationally, brought top targets on campus, and secured commitments within days of the portal opening.
The Small Window That Changed Recruiting
- A brief regulatory window in 2021–2024 let schools aggressively spend on NIL before lasting federal rules arrive.
- Cody viewed that window as a once-in-a-generation chance to front-load talent acquisition.
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.