Is Texas Tech Committed to the Big 12? Here’s What a Key Booster Just Said

Campbell edited his tweet around 10:38 a.m., but the crux of his message is that Friday night football isn’t a popular play for folks in Texas, particularly Red Raider alumni.

Additionally, Campbell takes issue with the scheduling of a Friday home game in conjunction with the previous week’s road trip to Oregon State, which is roughly a 5-7 hour flight from Lubbock, Texas.

In closing, Campbell attempts to diffuse tensions around the matter and recommit to his relationship with Yormark and the league’s ambitions to grow the Big 12 brand.

How to Interpret Cody Campbell’s Statement?

Each of Campbell’s points, while valid and understood also raise a stark contrast to what the Big 12 has chased with its adoption of Friday night football and its greater plan to maximize television exposure of the league’s key offerings, the biggest of which being football of course.

This quote by Campbell in particular stands out:

“However, I do stand by a quote I made: the Commissioners work for the Presidents, and the Presidents work for the Boards,” Campbell said. “The commissioners have not been vested in unilateral authority to do whatever they want. This is an issue throughout college athletics.”

Look, Texas Tech isn’t going to jump ship over a Friday night football game, but this is the sort of disagreement that can fuel a long-term problem between two parties that need each other in order to survive. Lubbock is one of the league’s top properties and while they’re not asking for the Big 12 to appease their every need, something like this should be at least a debatable subject.

It’s hard to imagine that either, Texas Tech or Houston, would agree to a Friday game if they could avoid it. But the picture painted in the media right now is that the Big 12 wants them to get on board and quit complaining.

Should the league be pursuing every available avenue for improved television ratings? Sure, but within reason.

If school(s) can’t veto or pause a league directive, what diplomacy exists for current or future schools should the league expand? It’s hard to imagine the league without a school like Texas Tech, but without a forum that could be an unfortunate reality should we get that far.