Brett Yormark ‘Deep in Discussion’ With Gonzaga on Big 12 Move: Report
Big news could be coming down the pike in the Big 12, in more ways than one. A part of that is basketball powerhouse Gonzaga potentially linking up with the league, as commissioner Brett Yormark is reportedly ‘deep in discussions’ with the Pacific Northwest university, according to The Athletic.
Yormark strongly believes basketball is undervalued in this latest round of television rights talks, The Athletic reports. And he’s hinted at the possibility of separating it from football and selling those rights uniquely when the Big 12 next hits the open market in 2030-31, which makes Gonzaga an attractive option.
“I think we have an opportunity to monetize basketball in a way that hasn’t been done before,” Yormark said in an appearance on the Wilner & Canzano podcast last month. “It’s certainly something I’m thinking about. So, if the opportunity ever exists where, within the construct of what makes sense for expansion, as part of that, we could double down on basketball and further cement our leadership position, it’s certainly something that I’m willing to consider.”
Meanwhile, Pac-12 Commissioner George Kliavkoff is expected to approach schools in his league with an offer by the end of this month. But with the Pac-12’s media rights being on the open market for nearly five months, it’s certain there’s not a “home run” deal coming down the pike.
With every passing day, the pressure hikes up and the anxiety with it. Will the Pac-12 get something done, and if they don’t, what will happen? Well, according to this same report from The Athletic, the Big 12 remains vigilant in its efforts to expand west and has set itself up nicely to do so.
“Kliavkoff is facing pressure to deliver a new media rights deal to his members by the end of the month,” The Athletic says. “If the dollar figures or the details are underwhelming, March may be the moment when the Big 12 finally strikes. Sources briefed on the discussions say the conference has been in recent contact with the so-called Four Corners schools — Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah — which has renewed optimism that convincing them to join is possible.”
We’ve known for months that Yormark has the desire to take his conference westward, and he’s not exactly been quiet about that. However, the fact that he is still in contact with Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah means that there could be real traction there if the Pac-12’s deal isn’t satisfactory.
Things only continue to heat up by the day as it pertains to realignment. And we shall see, perhaps even in a short amount of time, what comes of it.
