Brett Yormark reaffirms vision for the future of the Big 12
Opening statement:
“Before we begin today’s events, I want to take a moment to acknowledge the tragic flooding in Texas this weekend, particularly the devastating events at Camp Mystic.Our hearts go out to the victims, their families and everyone affected.We are keeping the entire community in our thoughts. I’d like to just pause for a moment.Thank you.It’s great to have our 2025 Football Media Days powered by Microsoft Copilot back in Texas. I want to thank the Dallas Cowboys and the Jones family for hosting us in this remarkable venue. I’d like to thank every member of the media for being here and for your continued coverage of our conference. There’s been plenty to write about over the last year, and I believe your coverage has remained fair, balanced and thoughtful.”
History made in six weeks
Six weeks from now, the Big 12 will kick off its 30th football season in Dublin,
Ireland. This will be a historic moment for Iowa State, K-State, and the entire Big 12.
And we look forward to returning next year when TCU hosts North Carolina. All eyes
will be in our league, both at home and around the globe.
Big 12 stacking success
Each of our 16 institutions contributed tremendous value to the Conference this year.
Arizona State earned a spot in the College Football Playoff and competed in a thrilling Peach Bowl, while Colorado produced a Heisman Trophy winner. Thirty-one Big 12 athletes were selected in the 2025 NFL Draft, matching the Conference’s highest total since 2005.
Beyond football, BYU captured two national championships in cross country. Houston men’s basketball made a dramatic run to the NCAA National Championship game, and TCU reached the Elite Eight in women’s basketball, with its beach volleyball team claiming a national title.
Utah advanced to the gymnastics finals and secured a national championship in skiing, while Oklahoma State brought home a national title in men’s golf.
As the year came to a close, Texas Tech softball captivated the sports world with a run to the national championship, and Arizona capped off the year with a trip to the Men’s College World Series.
Big 12 gaining popularity
“Earlier this year, we announced that TNT will be joining the Big 12 family as they will
broadcast both football and basketball starting this fall. Their digital platform,
Bleacher Report, will also be heavily involved in promoting our league. Our social
media following grew by more than 200,000 this year, solidifying our place as the
second most followed conference.
On Twitter and Instagram, our commercial business continues to grow rapidly, as
evidenced by our recent announcements with PayPal and Microsoft, and I do
anticipate there will be more announcements like this in the very near future.
Looking ahead, our focus remains on thriving in this new era of college athletics.
Strengthening our football product remains essential. We are committed to
continued investment and growth.”
Most competitive conference
“Every school in our league is committed to providing the highest level of benefits to our student-athletes. And once again, I believe we will be the deepest football conference in America. No league offers the competitive balance that we do.
Last season, the Big 12 led the nation in fourth-quarter lead changes and go-ahead scores in the final minute of conference games. This year, our star power—especially at quarterback—will be on full display.
The Big 12 returns nine starting quarterbacks who threw for over 2,400 yards last season. The rest of the Power Four combined returns just 11. We also boast one of the nation’s top coaching lineups, from Hall of Famers to rising stars.
I fully expect the Big 12 to earn multiple College Football Playoff bids this season—and to once again prove that we can compete with anyone.”
5 + 11 CFP model works best
As the Big 12’s growth takes center stage, Yormark emphasized that the best path forward for the College Football Playoff is the 5+11 format. He stressed that earning it on the field is the right approach—there’s no need to adopt a professional model, as college football isn’t the NFL. The focus should remain on preserving what makes the sport special while doing right by the fans and the game itself.
Big 12‘s stronger than ever
With everything Yormark has done for the Big 12, the brand has never been more globally recognized. It has reached new heights and continues to grow stronger by the day. Recent partnerships—such as the one with PayPal—and the consolidation of all operations under Big 12 Enterprises give the conference the flexibility to pursue new ventures, including a potential collaboration with WWE.
One exciting aspect of this innovation is that every Big 12 student-athlete will now receive their own custom app, completely free, to help build and grow their personal brand. This is no longer just a conference—it’s a hub of innovation, leading the way forward for the future of college athletics.
Overall thoughts:
I can’t remember a time when I’ve ever said, “I wish we had a commissioner like that”—but now we do, in Brett Yormark. He’s forward-thinking and has consistently made decisions with the best interests of the Big 12 in mind. If you thought the Big 12 would stay stagnant in today’s evolving athletic landscape, think again. Yormark is setting the standard. From major partnerships to pushing innovative ideas that benefit our student-athletes—like taking games international and expanding opportunities for exposure—he’s building something bigger. It’s not just about elevating the fan experience; it’s about ensuring the Big 12 is built to last.
