Next Big 12 Commissioner? - Brett Yormark (Roc Nation)

[Gunnerclone]

An impressive rolodex of connections, high energy, big idea guy, elite coast man to make big 12 elite, COO of Roc Nation (connections to Hollywood/fame/music and artistic industry) and did a great job with getting Nets out of NJ to Brooklyn and managing the Barclays arena.

Two biggest challenges for Yorkman:
1) Navigating media right negotiations which expires after the 2024-2025 season to put the Big 12 in the best possible position going forward. Netflix is crashing and burning. Hoping for either Amazon, Apple, or HBO streaming rights. Open to Peacock as well.

2) More immediately getting Texas and Oklahoma out cleanly and transitioning to the new 14 team set up and getting as much money as possible out of OU/Texas leave early.

There is always a couple concerns when I deal with people like this (“big connections people”):

1) They think that an idea will succeed solely because it is their idea and only backed up by their previous ideas that have succeeded rather than the actual outlook/analyzation of the current idea. Which I think is great in private business, but is dangerous in this kind of role (see Pac 12).

2) they are poor/unwilling administrators.

Note: I don’t really give a **** who the Big 12 commissioner is. They are just passengers at this point.

 

[heitclone]

This feels like an Oliver Luck influenced move, I don't think thats a bad thing.

 

[TXCyclones]

Regardless, I hope he has somewhat of a short leash. If he’s screwing things up, he’s gotta go. We don’t have time to let things get out of wack.

He cannot do worse than the prior two commissioners; "industry guys" who let Nebraska, Texas, Oklahoma, aTm, Mizzou, and Colorado erode from under their feet. It's time to get in front of this and bludgeon ESPN, which I think is where Yormark will thrive.

 

[BigJCy]

“What’s his name again?” one Big 12 athletic director asked Sports Illustrated. “Does he know anything about our business?”

“I’m not familiar with that name,” another Big 12 AD said, after a pause. “I guess we’ll put on good concerts? Just because you don’t know someone doesn’t mean they won’t be a good choice. But this isn’t a time for a lot of on-the-job training.”

Outside the league, reaction arrived in waves of cynicism.

“I would like to be optimistic but this is a disaster in the making,” says one prominent administrator.

“Nothing makes me think Iowa State more than Brett Yormark!” Texted an industry insider. “He is the definition of NYC. Either it’s a grand slam or a huge failure.”

 

[CoachHines3]

“What’s his name again?” one Big 12 athletic director asked Sports Illustrated. “Does he know anything about our business?”

“I’m not familiar with that name,” another Big 12 AD said, after a pause. “I guess we’ll put on good concerts? Just because you don’t know someone doesn’t mean they won’t be a good choice. But this isn’t a time for a lot of on-the-job training.”

Outside the league, reaction arrived in waves of cynicism.

“I would like to be optimistic but this is a disaster in the making,” says one prominent administrator.

“Nothing makes me think Iowa State more than Brett Yormark!” Texted an industry insider. “He is the definition of NYC. Either it’s a grand slam or a huge failure.”

I read this, too. My first thought.. how did Big 12 ADs not know who the hire was going to be before it was announced publicly? lol

 

[BigJCy]

I read this, too. My first thought.. how did Big 12 ADs not know who the hire was going to be before it was announced publicly? lol

 

[OnlyCyclones]

Those Big 12 ADs commenting anonymously would be better off keeping their opinions to themselves. Great job undermining your own school via the conference. It just underscores why there needed to be fresh blood. Too many of the good old boys are behind the times.

 

[Zyklon]

They probably just asked the Texas and OU ADs. Articles like that are part of the problem. No respect, focus on our relative lack of fans. Hopefully this guy can market us and change the perspective people have of the conference.

 

[OnlyCyclones]

They probably just asked the Texas and OU ADs. Articles like that are part of the problem. No respect, focus on our relative lack of fans. Hopefully this guy can market us and change the perspective people have of the conference.

More like lack brands instead of lack of fans.

 

[Cloneon]

More like lack brands instead of lack of fans.

Brands are what this guy is going to develop.

 

[Zyklon]

More like lack brands instead of lack of fans.

True. Looks like I'm doing the same thing I was complaining about.

 

[cyfan92]

Yormark did pretty well doing this TV negotiation

Brooklyn Nets say YES to media rights deal - SportsPro

YES Network extends broadcast deal with NBA team.

www.sportspromedia.com

I feel REALLY good about this hire after reading up on him. We need a NYC/LA entertainment professional in our corner to help sell the coastal elites who run streaming and TV deals that our product is worth the significant investment.

The conference has some really good things going for it and really leaning into making atheltics an entertainment product is the future. We cannot compete with the B1G and SEC in the traditional format. Time to adapt, innovate, and thrive.

 

[Hoggins]

I read this, too. My first thought.. how did Big 12 ADs not know who the hire was going to be before it was announced publicly? lol

Presidents do the hiring. AD’s really have nothing to do with it

 

[JohnnyFive]

“What’s his name again?” one Big 12 athletic director asked Sports Illustrated. “Does he know anything about our business?”

“I’m not familiar with that name,” another Big 12 AD said, after a pause. “I guess we’ll put on good concerts? Just because you don’t know someone doesn’t mean they won’t be a good choice. But this isn’t a time for a lot of on-the-job training.”

Outside the league, reaction arrived in waves of cynicism.

“I would like to be optimistic but this is a disaster in the making,” says one prominent administrator.

“Nothing makes me think Iowa State more than Brett Yormark!” Texted an industry insider. “He is the definition of NYC. Either it’s a grand slam or a huge failure.”

Of anyone on this planet, I value Pat Forde’s thoughts on anything the least.

 

[jdolson27]

I love it. He will be a negotiating fool. Tons of connections in the business world.

 

[Remo Gaggi]

I have no idea who this guy is, what Rock Nation is about and I'm sure as hell don't know who Jay Zee is. But, if he can negotiate a great TV contract, then who cares?

 

[KnappShack]

The Big 12 needs to go full WWE.

The Big 12 Universe. Players are "Superstars"

A rogue league that embraces the bad boy image. Fly the mother ******* pirate flag and mix entertainment with sports. (And not some dumb ass DJ like Texas basketball)

 

[Al_4_State]

The Big 12 needs to go full WWE.

The Big 12 Universe. Players are "Superstars"

A rogue league that embraces the bad boy image. Fly the mother ******* pirate flag and mix entertainment with sports. (And not some dumb ass DJ like Texas basketball)

I have a group text with some buddies from college and one guy's initially reaction was "we're the Mike Leach of conferences", and he meant it in a good way. I think the league needs to lean into that idea.

 

[HFCS]

At least it seems we aren't making worst case scenario choice of picking some stuffy boring AD.

 

[KnappShack]

I have a group text with some buddies from college and one guy's initially reaction was "we're the Mike Leach of conferences", and he meant it in a good way. I think the league needs to lean into that idea.

Exactly.

You tried to marginalize us
You tried to strip away our strength
You told us we were only two schools and "the rest"
You called us hateful, vindictive


You tried to kill us.....

But we're still here and ready to get ours.

The Big 12