Texas Tech regent spars with Big 12 chief over game shift

Cody Campbell, chairman of Texas Tech's board of regents and a prominent booster, criticized Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark on social media for planning to move the Red Raiders' football game against Houston from its scheduled Saturday, Sept. 19 slot to Friday night. Campbell called the potential change absurd, arguing that Friday Night Lights hold sacred status for high school football in Texas. Yormark responded that Campbell does not run the conference.

The dispute arose after Campbell posted on X, targeting both the Big 12 and Fox Sports while noting Yormark's non-native Texas roots. He referenced a possible Friday, Oct. 18 date in his initial post, though the original schedule lists Sept. 19. Campbell followed up with another post invoking Texas Tech coach Joey McGuire's phrase "EVERYTHING RUNS THROUGH LUBBOCK" and questioning the Big 12's recent ban on the Red Raiders' tortilla-tossing fan tradition at Jones AT&T Stadium.

Yormark told the Lubbock Avalanche-Journal that the league's board and athletic directors approved shifting 12 games per year off Saturdays to increase viewership, with Texas Tech's matchup selected due to its profile. He noted Friday night Big 12 games outperformed the conference average by 64% in 2025 and fit scheduling parameters approved by all schools.

In separate comments to ESPN, Campbell said the commissioner works for the presidents, who answer to the boards, and must advocate for members. He told the Avalanche-Journal the shift against Houston now appears too late to reverse and would strain the team after a Sept. 12 trip to Oregon State. A former Texas Tech offensive lineman, Campbell co-founded the Matador Club NIL collective and has pushed for conferences to unify media rights.