Image Source: ESPN
Sports news is taking a dramatic turn in the Big 12, as commissioner Brett Yormark prepares to leave the conference after January for a job outside college sports. Yormark informed league leaders of his decision nearly 10 days before the Big 12 board formally approved the terms of his departure, according to ESPN.
The announcement represents a major leadership change for one of the most closely watched conferences in college athletics. Yormark will remain in his position through January, allowing the league time to manage the transition and begin its search for a sixth commissioner.
Big 12 Sports Leadership Faces a Major Shake-Up
Kansas chancellor Doug Girod, who chairs the Big 12 board of directors, said Yormark approached his superiors with a plan for what he described as an “elegant exit.” The board voted Friday morning to formalize the arrangement.
“He approached us with a proposal to craft a path for what you’d call an ‘elegant exit,’” Girod told ESPN.
Yormark said his goal when accepting the job was to put the conference on an upward trajectory. He expressed confidence in the league’s future, noting that the Big 12 now stands as a 16-member conference with a stronger national presence.
“The next commissioner of this league will inherit a conference that is 16 strong,” Yormark said in a statement. “There has never been a better time to be a member of the Big 12 than right now.”
Yormark’s Powerful Big 12 Legacy
Yormark became Big 12 commissioner in 2022, succeeding Bob Bowlsby at a crucial moment. Oklahoma and Texas had already voted to leave for the SEC, creating uncertainty about the conference’s long-term stability and commercial future.
His most important achievement came shortly after taking over, when he helped league leaders exercise an option to renegotiate the conference’s television agreement early. The Big 12 ultimately secured a deal with ESPN and Fox, a move Girod described as essential to avoiding the fate of the Pac-12.
“Had he not joined us and convinced us to go early on redoing our television deal, we all believe we could have ended up like the Pac-12 did,” Girod said.
That agreement helped establish financial stability during an era of rapid conference realignment. Yormark also played a central role in expanding the Big 12’s national footprint and integrating eight new schools.
- BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF joined before Yormark’s arrival.
- Colorado returned to the Big 12 in 2023.
- Arizona, Arizona State and Utah also joined in 2023.
- The conference now includes 16 members.
Expansion, Basketball and Revenue Innovation
Yormark’s aggressive approach helped reshape the Big 12 beyond football. The conference has developed a reputation as one of the strongest leagues in men’s basketball, with Yormark frequently describing it as the second-best basketball league behind only the NBA.
Houston reached the national championship game in 2025, while Arizona advanced to the Final Four earlier this year. The conference’s expanded membership has also created a broader recruiting base and increased national interest across multiple sports.
Girod praised Yormark’s ability to combine media experience with a willingness to challenge traditional college athletics practices. Before joining the Big 12, Yormark was the former chief operating officer of Roc Nation and had professional experience connected to the NBA and NASCAR.
That background made him an unconventional choice, but it also matched what Big 12 leaders believed the league needed. Girod said the conference wanted an executive who could innovate, build brands and pursue new revenue opportunities.
He also acknowledged that Yormark sometimes moved faster than college athletics was prepared to handle. The commissioner explored several ambitious ideas, including a possible attempt to add UConn, before league leaders pushed back.
What Happens Next for the Big 12?
The Big 12 will launch a national search for Yormark’s replacement. Girod said the conference does not necessarily need to find an identical successor. Instead, he wants a leader with campus experience, an innovative mindset and the ability to continue exploring revenue diversification.
The next commissioner will inherit a league that has survived significant realignment, secured a valuable television partnership and established a strong position in college sports. However, challenges remain, including the evolving transfer landscape, name, image and likeness agreements, athlete compensation and continued competition for media revenue.
Yormark’s departure also raises questions about whether the Big 12 will maintain its aggressive approach to expansion and commercial strategy. For now, his continued presence through January should provide stability while the board evaluates candidates for one of the most important jobs in college athletics.
Frequently Asked Questions
When is Brett Yormark leaving the Big 12?
Yormark plans to remain commissioner through January before leaving for a job outside college sports.
Who will replace Brett Yormark?
The Big 12 has not named a successor. The conference plans to conduct a national search for its sixth commissioner.
What is Brett Yormark’s biggest achievement?
His signature achievement was helping the Big 12 secure a television agreement with ESPN and Fox while guiding the conference through major expansion.
How many members does the Big 12 have?
The Big 12 currently has 16 members after adding Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah in 2023.
