Brett Yormark to Leave Big 12 Commissioner Role

On October 30, the Big 12 said Commissioner Brett Yormark would step down and take a position outside college sports. He is expected to remain in the role through January 31, 2027. The conference has started a national search for his successor, with an announcement expected by the end of 2026.

Yormark became commissioner in 2022, as the Big 12 faced the departures of Texas and Oklahoma. During his tenure, the league added eight schools and secured a six-year, $2.28 billion media-rights agreement with ESPN and Fox. The deal helped stabilize the conference, which also brought Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah aboard in 2023.

The conference expanded its business partnerships under Yormark, including a five-year private-capital deal with RedBird Capital Partners and Weatherford Capital. It also struck a Monster Energy sponsorship agreement. Some of his initiatives drew criticism, including a glass court used at the 2026 basketball tournament that was abandoned during the event.

Yormark said serving as commissioner had been an honor and that he looked forward to handing leadership to his successor. Board chair Douglas A. Girod praised his role in guiding the league through a difficult period and said the next commissioner should bring campus experience while continuing to pursue new revenue and innovation.

The next leader will take over as college football considers expanding the playoff from 12 to 24 teams in 2027. Yormark supported that format and had been developing an event to replace the Big 12 championship game if the change goes ahead. The league’s next media-rights negotiations are expected around 2030.