Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark to Step Down in Early 2027

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is stepping down from his role and leaving college sports entirely, the conference announced on Friday. Yormark, who took over the position in August 2022 after succeeding Bob Bowlsby, will remain with the league through January 2027 to ensure a smooth transition. The Big 12 Board of Directors has already approved the terms of his departure and will immediately launch a national search for its sixth commissioner.

During his tenure, Yormark guided the conference through a period of immense uncertainty following the departures of Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC. Embracing an aggressive business strategy, he famously declared that the league was open for business during his first football media days. His leadership brought unprecedented stability to the conference by successfully integrating eight new member institutions, including BYU, Cincinnati, Houston, and UCF, as well as former Pac-12 programs Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, and Utah.

One of Yormark's most significant achievements was securing a lucrative six-year television contract extension with ESPN and FOX valued at $2.28 billion. His background in the entertainment and sports industries—having previously served as CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and Jay-Z's Roc Nation—also paved the way for innovative sponsorship deals and marketing initiatives, such as unconventional partnerships with energy drink brands and unique on-court presentations.

University of Kansas Chancellor and Big 12 Board Chair Douglas A. Girod praised Yormark's impact on behalf of the conference presidents. "When Brett arrived, we were at a crossroads in the Big 12 and as a college sports enterprise. Brett’s vision, business acumen, and confidence put us on the path we find ourselves on today," Girod stated, highlighting Yormark's role in leveraging both traditional and non-traditional avenues to solidify the conference's national relevance.

Reflecting on his departure, Yormark expressed pride in the upward trajectory of the conference. "When I accepted this job, my goal was to put this conference on an upward trajectory and truly believe that the future of the conference could not be in better shape," Yormark said. "The next commissioner of this league will inherit a conference that is ’16 Strong.’ There has never been a better time to be a member of the Big 12 than right now."

Yormark's exit comes at a critical juncture for college athletics, which continues to navigate complex legal battles, soaring roster costs, Name, Image, and Likeness regulations, and the expansion of the College Football Playoff. Although he has not yet disclosed details regarding his next venture, his departure leaves the Big 12 searching for new leadership to tackle upcoming challenges, including the next round of television negotiations slated for 2030.