Big 12 Conference Releases Statement on Yormark Extension

On Tuesday morning, the Big 12 Conference announced that it had approved a three-year contract extension with Commissioner Brett Yormark, keeping him with the conference through 2030.

Yormark, who took over in August 2022, initially signed a five-year deal set to run through 2027. This new three-year extension is a well-earned vote of confidence in his leadership, as he’s been at the center of the Big 12’s remarkable stability and growth during a chaotic realignment era.

In the hours following the initial report, the Big 12 released a statement on the extension, as the Big 12 Board of Director Chair and Baylor President Linda Livingstone had this to say on the matter.

“On behalf of the Big 12 Conference Board of Directors, we are pleased to extend Commissioner Brett Yormark’s contract an additional three years past the remaining two years of his existing agreement. Since Brett took leadership of the Big 12 three years ago, he has been instrumental in guiding the Big 12’s expansion to include new member schools, and unifying the conference’s existing membership. Brett’s strategic thinking and creative initiatives have been vital to the Big 12’s success, and we look forward to building on this momentum in the years ahead.”

Commissioner Yormark expressed gratitude for the opportunity to continue serving the Conference, in his prepared statement provided.

“I would like to thank the Board for their continued support. We have made great progress over the last three years, and our best days are ahead. I am thrilled to continue to work alongside our member schools as we grow and strengthen the Big 12 into a Conference that is innovative and prepared for what the future may hold.”

Since stepping into the role, Yormark has guided the conference through major transitions—most notably, the exits of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC.

In response, he helped land a six-year, $2.28 billion media rights deal with ESPN and Fox Sports, giving the Big 12 both financial security and a national broadcasting platform at a time when others were scrambling for answers.

He also orchestrated the addition of four new schools—Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah—extending the Big 12’s reach from coast to coast and reinforcing its status as a serious player on the national stage.

But Yormark’s impact hasn’t just come in boardrooms and expansion talks. He’s been aggressive in elevating the Big 12 brand, pushing for broader fan engagement and fresher thinking across the board. Initiatives like a league-wide football pro day and modernized championship events reflect a forward-facing mindset that the conference has leaned into under his watch.

With this extension, Yormark is positioned to guide the Big 12 well into the next phase of college athletics—one defined by media shifts, NIL, and playoff expansion. And based on the league’s trajectory, the Big 12 seems comfortable with him at the wheel.