John E. Hoover / AllSooners
Big 12 Media Days: League Plans to 'Celebrate' Oklahoma and Texas' Contributions
ARLINGTON, TX – Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark hasn’t quite been on the job for one year yet, but he has gained a firm grasp of the state of the nation’s only athletic conference that spans three time zones.
To that end, Yormark on Wednesday didn’t hint at even the slightest animosity about Oklahoma and Texas leaving for the SEC after this season.
In fact, he said instead of being awkward, the 14-team Big 12 in 2023 will be a celebration of the league’s four newcomers, its eight returning members, and its departing Red River Rivals.
“We’re going to celebrate the impact Oklahoma and Texas have had on the Big 12 from Day One,” Yormark said.
Still, Yormark didn't want to shine too bright a light on OU or Texas.
"I don't think they've carried the conference in recruiting," he said. "They haven't been in our championship game the last few years.
“This conference is bigger than any two schools.”
The Big 12’s new commissioner opened Big 12 Media Days at AT&T Stadium – the Sooners’ and Longhorns’ 27th and final such gathering with the league that formed in 1996 – by addressing more than 400 media on the 50-yard line.
Asked about how the nature of the negotiations for OU and Texas’ early departure – 2024 instead of the scheduled exit of 2025 originally announced in 2021 – Yormark said those discussions were great.
“I’ve got a great partnership with the folks at Texas and Oklahoma,” Yormark said. “When there’s mutual respect and you’re looking for a win-win scenario, those negotiations don’t take that long. Happy for them and happy for us. We brought closure to an issue that was highly discussed this time last year, and I’m happy we did.”
Yormark also talked about Big 12 expansion, the league “doubling down” on its current championship venues (including Oklahoma City for the softball championship) and an extension for the football title game to stay in Arlington through at least 2030.
“There’s never been a better time to be a part of the Big 12,” Yormark said. “It’s going to grow. I’m really excited about our future.”
If that means adding more members from Group of 5 leagues, then Yormark says the Big 12 will be all in.
“If they create value and align with our goals and values,” he said, “that’s a conversation worth having.
"We have a plan for expansion. I’m not really going to address it today. Hopefully we can execute that plan sooner than later."
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