The 2024 Big 12 football media days get underway on Tuesday with commissioner Brett Yormark and Oklahoma State coach Mike Gundy speaking at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
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LAS VEGAS — Commissioner Brett Yormark opened Big 12 Media Days by proclaiming to the world that his league is the “deepest football conference in America.”
While that might raise eyebrows in other parts of the country, Yormark operates with no fear, and is set on building the relevance of the league — an area where he has succeeded in his first two years in his role.
“There has never been a better time than right now to be part of the Big 12,” Yormark said “We are truly a national conference in 10 states, four time zones. All eyes are now on the Big 12 for all the right reasons. I think it’s safe to say we are more relevant now than ever before.”
While the Southeastern and Big Ten conferences might argue their power as football conferences, Yormark stood strong on the depth of the Big 12.
“November, we’ll brand the month as ‘The race to a championship’ because I think it’s gonna take until towards the end of the season to determine who will show up at AT&T Stadium for that championship game,” Yormark said. “I think it’s only natural and appropriate for us to think that way right now. We were a very deep conference last year and we got deeper now, with the Four Corners schools.”
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
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LAS VEGAS — While he didn’t go into specifics, Yormark said the Big 12 remains “open for business,” referencing league naming rights and private equity investments as two top areas of focus.
He did not speak to what the naming rights change would mean, or what it would look like, he addressed the idea of private equity coming into the league.
“We’re exploring all options,” Yormark said. “Given where we are, the industry, having a capital resource as a partner makes a ton of sense. That’s really how you conduct a business. I really believe that.
“And if you see where private equity is making a path into professional sports, at some point in time it’s going to come here into collegiate athletics. So we are exploring what that might look like.”
Among other new ideas, Yormark discussed a desire to get a stronger influence in the western part of the country, along with reigniting the move to hold events in Mexico and other international locations, like Ireland.
This week’s event moved to Las Vegas because of a scheduling conflict at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas, but Yormark feels the need to be in this city is high.
That could include an affiliation with the Las Vegas Bowl, which currently is tied to the deeply troubled Pac-12 Conference.
“I’m confident at the right time we will have a formal affiliation with the Las Vegas Bowl,” Yormark said. “We need to be here in Vegas for all the right reasons. Entertainment and sports capital of the world. Critically important market for us in the future.”
— Scott Wright, Staff writer
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Speaking to BYUtv on Tuesday at Big 12 Media Days, Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II stressed accountability after his arrest last month on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.
“One decision you make can be the last one you make,” Gordon said Tuesday morning.
Gordon said he didn’t want his teammates and coach Mike Gundy having to answer questions about him.
Gundy said on Tuesday morning that Gordon, the reigning Doak Walker Award winner, will not be suspended for any games next season.
—Jeff Patterson, Sports editor
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Tuesday-Wednesday at Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas. All times CT.
More:USA Today preseason All-Big 12 football team 2024: Ollie Gordon II is Player of the Year
More:Oklahoma State football opens Big 12 Media Days: What to know about Ollie Gordon, Cowboys
Big 12 football media days will be on ESPNU from noon to 4 p.m. Tuesday. It will also be streamed on ESPN+.
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