Paul Finebaum explains what the Texas, Oklahoma move says about Brett Yormark

ESPN’s Paul Finebaum discussed what it meant for Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark after Texas and Oklahoma announced their exit from the conference.

Finebaum was complimentary of the savvy business background of Yormark. Despite losing two big brands in Texas and Oklahoma, the Big 12 is in a good spot according to the ESPN host.

But Finebaum mentioned how it was good for all parties, not a fleecing win for the Big 12.

“Well, I think it shows Yormark’s background, he comes from the sports business world you understand you have to make deals, and you can’t be on an island and I think that’s where Bob Bowlsby was,” Finebaum said on McElroy and Cubelic. “And I think Yormark has, in a very short period of time, raced through the ranks of the commissioners, and is now someone that is given serious attention. Now, I think it was also good for everybody, by the way.”

Finebaum brought up former commissioner Bob Bowlsby and his relations with the SEC compared to Yormark.

“I mean, Commissioner (Greg) Sankey made reference to Bob Bowlsby the other day, and I think that was a nice way of closing the book on a really unfortunate chapter and not that we need to litigate this any more than it’s already been made, but we all know how this happened,” Finebaum said. “Texas and Oklahoma were going somewhere, they chose the SEC. The SEC was not out shopping, and I think Yormark more than anything showed that he is a forward thinking commissioner. 

“And I think you compare him to what the Pac-12 commissioner has been doing. And there’s a stark contrast and why one league has done well and the Big 12 has done very well, even losing Oklahoma and Texas, and why the Pac-12 seems to be sinking into the Pacific Ocean.”

Yormark previously commented on the early exit for Texas and Oklahoma. The two schools will join the SEC in 2024.

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“As I have consistently stated, the Conference would only agree to an early withdrawal if it was in our best interest for Oklahoma and Texas to depart prior to June 30, 2025,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “By reaching this agreement, we are now able to accelerate our new beginning as a 12-team league and move forward in earnest with our initiatives and future planning. I appreciate the approaches of OU President Joe Harroz and UT President Jay Hartzell to ensure an amicable conclusion to this process, and look forward to the bright days ahead for the Big 12 Conference.”