Brett Yormark Impressing Big 12 AD’s, Leaders: Report
Brett Yormark hasn’t even officially started as Big 12 Conference Commissioner, but he’s already impressing athletic directors and league officials.
The report, filed by ESPN’s Pete Thamel, was a larger piece that assessed what each of the three remaining Power-5 Conferences are attempting to do in the wake of USC’s and UCLA’s move to the Big Ten, announced last week.
The Big 12 announced Yormark as Bob Bowlsby’s replacement last Wednesday, with the idea being that the former Brooklyn Nets and RocNation Sports executive would shadow Bowlsby for about a month before taking over around Aug. 1.
Well, the Big Ten’s expansion — and the Big 12’s response to it — has put Yormark in a position where he’s getting a crash course in college athletics, an area where he has no experience.
So far, Thamel wrote those that hired Yormark are impressed:
‘It’s been quite a first week for new commissioner Brett Yormark, who has impressed the league’s athletic directors and leaders with his humility and willingness to admit he knows what he doesn’t know.’
Thamel’s sources also told him that Yormark has been “aggressive” when it comes to expansion conversations.
That’s reflected in reports the past few days.
The Big 12 is reportedly having serious talks with at least four Pac-12 members — Arizona, Arizona State, Utah, and Colorado — joining the conference. Those talks happened on Tuesday, and were the most involved that have taken place to this point. Additionally, another report noted that the Big 12 may have interested in as many as six Pac-12 teams.
Meanwhile, the Pac-12 is now pursuing expansion and a new television deal.
Just a year ago, the Big 12, to many, was on borrowed time after Oklahoma and Texas announced it was heading to the SEC in 2025.
Now? It appears the league’s newest hire is trying to help make the league stronger.
Matthew Postins can be found on Twitter @PostinsPostcard
