Big 12 Bullish On Its Future, Regardless Of Expansion Plans

The Big 12 wrapped up its football media days Thursday in Dallas, where commissioner Brett Yormark continued to float the conference’s expansion strategy. 

“We do have a plan,” Yormark said. “And hopefully we can execute that plan sooner than later.”

At times, Yormark has been adamant that the Big 12 needed to add teams. “I’d like to stay at 14, even with the departures of Texas and Oklahoma, candidly,” he said earlier this summer.

During last year’s media days, Yormark raised eyebrows with his declaration that the conference was “open for business.” This week, he said he simply meant he’ll “explore every possibility to add revenue, diversify our conference, and do things that had not been done before.”

Perhaps recognizing the intricacies of adding teams, Yormark settled into a slightly more measured mindset this year. 

“If we stay at 12, we’re perfectly fine with that,” he explained. “If the opportunity presents itself where there’s something that creates value and aligns well with our goals and objectives, starting with the board, then we’re certainly going to pursue it.”

Lone Star Home

The Big 12 also announced that AT&T Stadium would continue hosting its championship game through 2030. The home of the Dallas Cowboys since 2009, AT&T Stadium hosted a pair of Big 12 title games before the conference got rid of its championship matchup for six years, then returned to host it in 2017.