Brett Yormark isn’t saying much right now about College Football Playoff expansion, and honestly, that might be the best indicator yet that the Big 12’s got the right guy at the table.
After a Sunday meeting with conference commissioners, there’s still no agreement in place for an expanded CFP format beyond the current 12-team setup. When asked about the progress, Big Ten commissioner Tony Petitti offered the standard, “We still have more work to do.” Yormark kept it even shorter: “Discussions ongoing.”
Here’s the thing: while other commissioners usually take every single opportunity to flex their input in these conversations (looking at you, Greg Sankey), Yormark is actually taking the time to get things done right. It’s not about preserving what’s best for only the Big 12, Big Ten, SEC, or ACC; it’s about getting the best setup for college football as a whole.
If there’s no deal by Friday, January 23rd, the 12-team Playoff will stick around in 2026. That wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world, but it’s also a missed opportunity for Yormark to lock in more guaranteed access for the Big 12 long term. He’s already proven he’s willing to fight for his league, whether it’s securing the Big 12’s media deal before the Pac-12 could, or expanding with purpose when the opportunity came. Every move he’s made since taking the job has put the Big 12 on a stronger foundation.
While others were worried about falling behind, Yormark got aggressive. He didn’t wait for the market to decide the Big 12’s future; he made moves that guaranteed it had one. That same mindset is showing up in these CFP conversations. You’re not hearing everything yet, but you can be sure the Big 12’s best interests are being represented loud and clear in those rooms.
So yeah, Brett Yormark is keeping things close to the chest right now. But if his track record means anything, it’s that when the dust settles, the Big 12 won’t be on the outside looking in.
