Cody Campbell discusses SCORE Act, scheduling Texas on Pat McAfee Show

On the Pat McAfee Show, Cody Campbell, chairman of the Texas Tech Board of Regents, outlined the scope and implications of the Save College Sports Act. The bipartisan SCORE Act, championed by Senators Ted Cruz and Maria Cantwell, aims to preserve players’ rights to compensation while stabilizing funding for non-revenue sports. Campbell explained that the act would standardize transfer rules, allowing one free transfer, with a second transfer only under specified conditions and a one-year sit-out. He stressed a five-year eligibility ceiling and emphasized protections for player health, safety, and welfare, plus funding for post-career support. Regulating agents is also a focus, given reports of agents charging up to 25% of a player’s earnings.

Campbell criticized Steve Sarkisian’s stance and framed the Texas Tech–Texas rivalry as an opportunity to schedule a competitive matchup. He said Texas Tech has already engaged with Abilene Christian and Texas State to facilitate future games, even offering to pay the Texas buyout to enable a conference alignment. The interview highlighted the program’s push for more structure in college sports amid rapid changes in transfer rules and NIL dynamics. Supporters say SCORE Act would protect revenue streams for women's and Olympic sports while ensuring player eligibility clarity. The interview marks a significant moment in the national debate over governance in college athletics, with Campbell signaling a reformist push.