New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark 'learning by fire'

Two days after being announced as the next Big 12 commissioner, Brett Yormark learned how quickly the future of college football can change. USC and UCLA made their announcement, switching over from the Pac-12 and eventually joining the Big Ten conference in 2024.

Quite the introduction for Yormark.

Aug. 1 will be Yormark’s official start date as he is still transitioning over from his role with Roc Nation. The new commissioner said he is “learning by fire” with the frenzy of conference realignment still ongoing in college football.

“It’s been a great transition,” Yormark said. “I’m doing a little double duty to work at Roc Nation while transitioning here. And I’ll be here full-time Aug. 1. But you know, I am learning by fire in some respects and it’s probably the best way to do it. Obviously, with conference realignment and what’s at the forefront of college athletics right now, it requires me to jump in.”

Current Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby has been a tremendous help throughout the transition according to Yormark. He also gave credit to officials throughout the university, saying although he is still learning on the fly, he is enjoying working with them.

“Bob has been a fantastic resource for me,” said Yormark. “I’ve spent a lot of time with him. The ADs, the presidents, everyone has been great. Very welcoming. I’m learning by fire but I feel really good about where this conference is going. What the opportunities in front of us are and my job is to take advantage of them.”

Brett Yormark comments on Texas, Oklahoma situation

As the Big 12 transitions into a new era, there will be four brand new teams entering the conference. However, there will be two major brands leaving as well, with Texas and Oklahoma SEC bound. An exact date is not yet known but 2025 is the latest.

Yormark may choose to pursue separating the Big 12 from OU and Texas more quickly with the four new schools coming in. However, the former Roc Nation exec noted that any deal that he and the Big 12 leadership work out with the two future SEC programs will be in the “best interest” of the conference.

“From my perspective, in any situation like this, I always look for a win-win scenario,” Yormark said. “That being said, it’s important that whatever happens is in the best interest of this conference.”