Big 12 Conference Commissioner Brett Yormark Discusses Future of League at Media Days
The landscape of college football is constantly evolving, and the Big 12 Conference is no exception. As the league prepares for the upcoming football season, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is already looking ahead to the future and considering potential changes that could shape the conference for years to come.
Speaking at the Big 12 Media Days event in Las Vegas, Yormark outlined his vision for the conference’s future, which includes exploring private equity investment, playing games on days other than Saturday, and even re-naming the league. These potential changes could have a significant impact on the Big 12 and its standing in the world of college football.
Yormark emphasized the conference’s commitment to excellence, stating, “Big 12 schools will compete at the highest levels and continue to invest in their athletic programs.” He also hinted at the possibility of further expansion and evolution, saying, “From a conference perspective, we are exploring all options. Two years later, I guess you could say, we’re still open for business.”
One of the most significant changes coming to the Big 12 this fall is the addition of four new schools – Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah – from the Pac-12 Conference. This expansion will bring the total number of schools in the Big 12 to 16, creating a more robust and competitive conference.
Despite losing powerhouse programs like Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC, Yormark remains optimistic about the future of the Big 12. He is determined to elevate the conference’s football prestige above that of the SEC and the Big Ten, two conferences often considered superior to the Big 12.
To achieve this goal, Yormark is exploring innovative ways to boost the league’s revenue and increase its national profile. This includes potentially allowing private companies to purchase a stake in the conference, exploring new TV windows for game scheduling, and even selling the conference’s naming rights to a strategic partner.
Ultimately, Yormark’s vision for the Big 12 is ambitious – to become the number one conference in America. While this may be a lofty goal, Yormark is confident in the conference’s potential and believes that with the right strategies and investments, the Big 12 can compete at the highest level and secure its place among college football’s elite.
As the Big 12 prepares for the upcoming football season and beyond, Commissioner Brett Yormark’s forward-thinking approach and commitment to excellence will undoubtedly shape the future of the conference and cement its status as a powerhouse in college football.
