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A newly elected Democratic governor in Texas could unsettle a major donor’s hold on college athletics: Gov.-elect Gina Hinojosa will have the authority to replace university regents appointed by outgoing Gov. Greg Abbott, putting the future of Texas Tech board chair Cody Campbell’s role in question. The potential change would affect both campus-level control and broader influence inside NCAA conference circles.
How the replacement process works
Under Texas law, the governor names members of public university boards, and those nominations require confirmation by the state Senate. Campbell was appointed to the Texas Tech Board of Regents by Abbott in 2021 and is slated to complete his six-year term this January, placing him among the first Abbott appointees the incoming administration could target.
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That authority is not absolute. The state Senate will remain under Republican control, and its approval is needed to finalize replacements — a factor that could constrain Hinojosa’s options and preserve existing regents.
Campbell’s footprint at Texas Tech and in the Big 12
Cody Campbell, a Texas Tech alumnus and former Red Raider, has used his chairmanship to shape athletic decisions on campus. He led the university’s response during the Brendan Sorsby episode this summer and has influenced how the program navigates the evolving college-sports landscape.
Because university presidents serve on the Big 12’s board and regents exercise leverage over those presidents, Campbell’s role extended beyond Lubbock into conference-level discussions. His position gave him a voice in operational and policy conversations that affect multiple programs.
Financial backing and ongoing influence
Campbell built his fortune in the energy sector through companies including Double Eagle Energy Holdings. Along with business partner John Sellers, he helped found the Red Raiders’ NIL collective and remains a major financial backer of the athletics program during the revenue-sharing era.
Even if removed from the regents, Campbell would likely retain the ability to shape college sports through private funding and organizational work. His involvement in athletics financing positions him to remain an influential actor, regardless of any formal title.
Political connections and legislative activity
Campbell has been active in conservative policy circles tied to college sports. He helped form and promote elements of the Protect College Sports Act, which won some bipartisan attention in the Senate before the midterm elections altered the political landscape. He also served as an early member of the America First Policy Institute and has been a frequent donor to Republican causes.
He currently participates in two White House-linked advisory groups on sports and helped lead the administration’s college-sports council alongside New York Yankees president Randy Levine. Campbell advised on two executive orders related to college athletics and continues to work on legislation and policy through his 501(c)(4), Saving College Sports.
What’s at stake if Campbell is replaced
A change at the regents’ level would remove Campbell’s formal decision-making power at Texas Tech. But his financial support, policy work, and ties to national political figures suggest he would remain a prominent voice in debates over college-sports governance.
Both sides of that potential shift have so far been tight-lipped: Hinojosa’s campaign did not immediately respond to requests for comment, and Campbell declined to discuss the future of his board seat.
