Andy Staples: Why Brett Yormark's comments on Texas' final game in Big 12 weren't surprising

Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark was in the headlines on Wednesday and the people of Lubbock thoroughly enjoyed why. Those in Austin and Norman, probably not so much.

Yormark was speaking to a group of Texas Tech fans, telling them he will be at the Texas game on Black Friday at Darrell K Royal-Texas Memorial Stadium. He told head coach Joey McGuire to “take care of business” against the Longhorns, implying he would be cheering for the Red Raiders to get a win.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark today: “Coach (Joey McGuire), I’m not going to put any pressure on you, but I’m going to be in Austin on Thanksgiving. And you better take care of business like you did right here in Lubbock last year.” pic.twitter.com/KRDohHn288

— Joe Cook (@josephcook89) August 23, 2023

This caused an outrage, mainly from soon-to-be SEC members, Texas and Oklahoma. Fans were saying Big 12 officials were going to be out to get both schools, which On3’s Andy Staples did not agree with.

“Some people took this to mean the conference commissioner is saying ‘Rig the games against Texas’ and by extension, ‘Rig the games against Oklahoma,'” Staples said. “I’m not taking that from him. First of all, it’s bad for business to rig games. People don’t want to watch if they think the games are rigged. I don’t think that’s what’s going on here.

“I think he works for the schools that will be in the Big 12 going forward. So that would be the eight schools that were left for dead by Texas and Oklahoma. And then all of the other ones that have joined and will join. He doesn’t work for Texas and Oklahoma. They’re not voting members anymore.”

Staples understands why Yormark would be wanting to hype up a crowd of Texas Tech fans. After all, they are going to be in the Big 12 moving forward. Any other move than making good with the future members would be a mistake from the commissioner.

“Guess what it would be smart for Brett Yormark to do,” Staples began. “Curry favor with the schools that control whether he keeps or doesn’t keep his job. Wouldn’t it be smart if you’re Brett Yormark to get on the good side of all the Texas Tech people and the Oklahoma State people and the Iowa State people and the Kansas State people?”

Yormark will make his way down to the 40 Acres on Nov. 24 when Texas hosts Texas Tech for the season finale. While he might be hosted by UT officials on the Friday after Thanksgiving, he certainly will not be cheering for their football team.

And for Staples, that’s totally a totally okay move.