The Big 12 has concluded a several-month search to replace Bob Bowlsby as commissioner, who announced his retirement in April and has selected Roc Nations Brett Yormark as its new headman.
Yormark served as the chief operating officer of Roc Nation, JAY-Z’s entertainment agency. However, Yormark served in several sports roles throughout his career. Including a 15-year tenure as the Brooklyn Nets CEO, and an executive at NASCAR.
“Thank you to the Big 12 Board, the ADs, the student-athletes, the whole Conference for giving me a chance to support what they all do,” said Yormark. “I’m here to listen, learn, find ways to add value, add resources and try to help shine a light on the importance of college athletics. I look forward to leveraging my experience and network alongside our presidents, chancellors and athletic directors to shape the future of the Big 12 brand and emphasize our collective strengths.”
Yormark’s Path to Becoming the Big 12’s New Commissioner
Yormark graduated from Indiana University and began his career in 1988. He began his path at the Ticket Office for the New Jersey Nets. However, during his employment in New Jersey, he would leave the organization for several years to join NASCAR. He served as the vice-president of corporate sponsorships and would strike a ground-breaking $750 million partnership agreement. Later, he would leave NASCAR to join the New Jersey Nets once more in 2005. This time, however, as the CEO. He would oversee the Nets’ move to Brooklyn, NY., and open the Barclay’s Center. Which has been a venue that hosts a sprawl of large events outside of the NBA. Yormark spent 14 years in Brooklyn. In 2019 he would take a position as the COO, and CO-CEO of JAY-Z’s entertainment agency, Roc Nation.
After 3 years with Roc Nation, he is now the Big 12’s new commissioner in the midst of a very uncertain time for the Conference. The Big 12 recently announced the addition of four new members in September 2021. Which included Houston, Cincinnati, BYU and UCF. In June, the programs broke an agreement with the AAC to join the Big 12 in the summer of 2023.
In the loom of a new media rights deal, Yormark’s experience appears to connect with the primary focus of striking a large contract with ESPN, Fox, or other large sports media. Which may include further expansion in the near future.
For More Great Football Content
Follow us on Twitter at @GridironHeroics for more great content. We appreciate you taking time to read our articles. To interact more with our community and keep up to date on the latest in Football news, JOIN OUR FREE FACEBOOK GROUP by CLICKING HERE
1 Comment
Pingback: BREAKING: Big 12 In Talks To Add Six Pac-12 Teams - Gridiron Heroics