Brett Yormark to step down as Big 12 commissioner in January
The former Nets CEO departs after securing a $2.28 billion TV deal and absorbing four former Pac-12 members.
By Ibrahim Howard ·
Brett Yormark will leave the Big 12 conference on January 31, 2027.
The announcement came Friday, marking his departure after a four-year tenure that reshaped the league's membership and financial standing. Yormark signed a three-year contract extension in late 2024 that was scheduled to keep him in the role through 2030. He will serve as the fifth commissioner in the organization's 32-year history.
Yormark cited the conference's strong position as the reason for his timely exit. He stated that his goal was to place the league on an upward trajectory. He told the AP that the next commissioner will inherit a conference that is 16 Strong. He noted that there has never been a better time to be a member of the Big 12 than right now.
During his tenure, the commissioner navigated the rise of name, image, and likeness deals in college sports. He secured a six-year television contract extension with ESPN and Fox. That deal is valued at $2.28 billion. The conference also expanded its roster by absorbing Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah from the dissolved Pac-12. Yormark described the league as open for business during his first football media days. He also oversaw the integration of BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, a move negotiated by his predecessor Bob Bowlsby.
Before taking the Big 12 job in 2022, Yormark served as CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and Jay-Z's Roc National entertainment company. Douglas A. Girod, the University of Kansas chancellor and Big 12 board chairman, thanked Yormark for guiding the conference through an extraordinary period. Girod said Yormark’s vision and business acumen put the league on its current path. The conference was at a crossroads when Yormark arrived, according to Girod.
Yormark’s business background influenced the league's marketing and sponsorship strategies. He implemented several innovative initiatives during his time as commissioner. The Big 12 now operates with a stable membership and a major broadcasting agreement. Yormark will remain in his current role until the end of January.
Source: MySA
