Greg Sankey addresses Brett Yormark's 'take care of business' comment toward Texas

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark made waves last month when he told Texas Tech to “take care of business” against Texas in the Longhorns’ final game as a member of the league. The comment quickly made its way around social media as UT prepares to depart for the SEC.

Ahead of the Longhorns’ matchup with Alabama, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey weighed in.

“I spoke to both campuses right after,” Sankey said, via Orangebloods’ Anwar Richardson. “I’m sure Brett expects the PAC-12 to treat the four departing members respect as they leave. I know Texas & Oklahoma and myself expect that kind of respect to be reflected toward Oklahoma & Texas.”

Yormark made his comments while speaking to the Red Raider Club, meaning his audience was made up of Texas Tech fans. Red Raiders coach Joey McGuire was also in attendance, and Yormark shared his message with the coach while confirming his plans to be in Austin for the game.

“Candidly, we were able to get Texas and Oklahoma out of here early. That was a big deal for us and I think all of you,” Yormark said. “And Coach [McGuire], I’m not going to put any pressure on you, but I’m gonna be in Austin for Thanksgiving, okay? And you’d better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year.”

Brett Yormark on ‘take care of business’ remark about Texas: ‘You speak to your crowd and you have fun’

More than a week later, during a press conference ahead of the Colorado vs. TCU matchup, Yormark clarified his remarks. He said he meant it all in good fun considering he was speaking to a Texas Tech audience. He also made it clear he was catering to the crowd as he tried to build excitement about the upcoming football season.

“The only thing I would say about my comment last week is I learned many years ago, you speak to your crowd and you have fun,” Yormark said. “And that’s what I was doing. I was speaking to the crowd at Lubbock, they were excited about the season. And I think college football’s all about having fun, and I was having fun with the fans at Texas Tech. That’s pretty much it.”

Texas and Oklahoma’s move to the SEC is happening a year earlier than originally planned, which Yormark touted when he made his comments. They weren’t supposed to depart until 2025, but the two programs came to an agreement with the Big 12 to leave a year earlier — just in time for other realignment moves and the expansion of the College Football Playoff.