Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Yormark touts new-look Big 12: 'Deepest' in U.S.

Written by 
Published in Breaking News
Tuesday, 09 July 2024 14:38

LAS VEGAS -- Brett Yormark kicked off the Big 12's first media day as a 16-team league with an optimistic outlook for what he called "the deepest conference in America."

Yormark said Tuesday that the additions of Utah, Arizona, Arizona State and Colorado are a boost, despite the loss of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC and gives the Big 12 stability in an era of constant change.

"We solidified ourselves as one of the top three conferences in America," he said. "There has never been a better time than right now to be part of the Big 12. We are truly a national conference in 10 states, four time zones and all eyes are now on the Big 12 for all the right reasons. I think it's safe to say we are more relevant now than ever before."

Yormark touted the strength of the league as a whole, pointing out that the Big 12 had a record-tying nine teams in bowl games, with the second-best win percentage in college football, but also had an NCAA tournament-record eight men's basketball bids and seven in women's basketball, and added even more powerful basketball programs.

The NCAA antitrust settlement awarding more than $2.7 billion of back damages, along with a new revenue-sharing model, provides an opportunity for the Big 12 to be aggressive and innovative in finding new sources of revenue, Yormark said. He characterized his league as a "mature startup" who can take more risks than some of the more traditional conferences.

The Big 12 has reportedly explored selling naming rights to the league and has explored private equity investment opportunities, which Yormark confirmed, reaffirming a statement from two years ago when he said the league was interested in expanding and was "open for business."

"As we enter this new chapter, I can assure you Big 12 schools will compete at the highest levels and they will continue to invest," he said. "From a conference perspective, we are exploring all options. Two years later, I guess you could stay, we're still open for business. Naming rights is one. Private equity is another."

Yormark said he expects his teams will embrace the "enhanced student-athlete" benefits afforded under the settlement, and his job was to find a way to create more revenue for teams to remain competitive.

This year's media days are in Las Vegas because of renovations at AT&T Stadium, the home of the Dallas Cowboys, where the event is usually held. But Yormark said he considers Las Vegas to be a key market for the league as "the entertainment and sports capital of the world." He said he'll continue to find ways to broaden the exposure of his teams and league, even working with ESPN and Fox on possible new TV windows for game times, but said he could not elaborate further yet.

As the SEC and Big Ten continue to flex their muscle in the future of college football, Yormark said he is not concerned.

"I wake up every morning and I think about one thing, the Big 12 being the best version of itself. Everything else doesn't really matter," Yormark said. "If we take care of business, we're going to be just fine. I'm a firm believer in that. We're more relevant now than we've ever been. We're a national conference. We've got 16 great brands. We're going to be the deepest football conference in America and we'll be well represented in the CFP."

Read 106 times

Soccer

Ancelotti: Mbappé has adapted, now 'at his best'

Ancelotti: Mbappé has adapted, now 'at his best'

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsCarlo Ancelotti said Kylian Mbappé's "period of adaptation has fini...

Barça boost as members ratify historic Nike deal

Barça boost as members ratify historic Nike deal

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsBarcelona members (socios) ratified the club's new long-term agreem...

San Diego picks UCSB's Duah first in MLS draft

San Diego picks UCSB's Duah first in MLS draft

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsUC Santa Barbara midfielder Manu Duah was selected No. 1 overall by...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

Heat's Butler hurts ankle, then exits with illness

Heat's Butler hurts ankle, then exits with illness

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Jimmy Butler appeared to turn his left ankle and left Miam...

Suns' Booker (groin) to miss first game Saturday

Suns' Booker (groin) to miss first game Saturday

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPhoenix Suns All-Star guard Devin Booker has been ruled out of Satu...

Baseball

Marlins reach 1-year contract with INF Wagaman

Marlins reach 1-year contract with INF Wagaman

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- The Marlins and infielder Eric Wagaman have agreed to a on...

Yankees ship Trevino to Reds for Cruz, Jackson

Yankees ship Trevino to Reds for Cruz, Jackson

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsThe New York Yankees traded catcher Jose Trevino to the Cincinnati...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated