Big 12 commissioner hints at extension for men’s & women’s basketball tournaments in KC
How fired up is commissioner Brett Yormark about the Big 12? The league played a hype video during his state-of-the-conference speech to open Big 12 Media Days. Then he asked to play the same clip again.
Yorkmark had just been named to the post at this time a year ago, and it’s been an eventful period, with no accomplishment bigger than the league’s media contract extension with ESPN and Fox, worth $2.3 billion from 2025-2031.
Then Yormark listed a menu of more victories and coming attractions, like extending the Big 12 football championship game at AT&T Stadium through the 2030 season. Also, Yormark said there will be halftime show “with a major artist.”
Last year, the Big 12 extended the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments in Kansas City through 2027, and Yormark, after attending his first tournaments there in March, suggested the stage was set for a longer arrangement.
“It was my first time spending significant time in Kansas City, and I went there with lots of different thoughts,” Yormark said. “I came away hugely impressed. The fan base in and around Kansas City, the community, they really embrace this tournament.
“When I think about Kansas City, I think about that market and that championship is one I’d like to double down on. We are in conversations with local officials about extending that agreement as well.”
Yormark recently met with Mayor Quinton Lucas about extending the tournaments. Next season will be the first time the women’s event will be played at T-Mobile Center, a week before the men.
About conference expansion, Yormark spoke boldly but not specifically.
“We have a plan for expansion,” he said. “If the opportunity presents itself and it creates value, we’re going to pursue it.”
The Big 12 is welcoming Houston, Cincinnati, UCF and BYU this year and will operate as a 14-team league. Texas and Oklahoma are set to leave for the SEC after this year.
This story was originally published July 12, 2023 at 1:24 PM.