Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark could not have been more excited to welcome BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF into his rapidly growing Power Five conference on July 1.
The days are over when it comes to laughing at the Big 12's small market energy.
For those who have followed along to the remarkable job Brett Yormark has done since taking over for Bob Bowlsby as league commissioner, you would recognize his palpable leadership traits come from areas of great strength. The league may be losing Oklahoma and Texas to the SEC next year, but it is safe to say Yormark's Big 12 is in a far better position over the ACC and the Pac-12.
At midnight on July 1, Yormark officially welcomed BYU, Cincinnati, Houston and UCF to his league.
Adding four former Group of Five schools may not feel big, but believe me, this is a huge deal!
Even after Oklahoma and Texas bolt, Yormark could oversee one of the most competitive leagues nationwide on the football field and the basketball hardwood. I don't think they are done either…
Brett Yormark's Big 12 will be bigger than any Big 12 we could ever hope to see
Yes, the four additions are coming up from the Group of Five. However, three of them hail from major metro areas (Cincinnati, Houston, Orlando) and the fourth is a national brand due to its LDS affiliation. Frankly, these four additions give the Big 12 the theoretical reach it needs to continue to grow. I would not be shocked if Yormark goes big-game hunting over in the Pac-12 very soon.
The Four Corners universities (Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado, Utah) could be the next dominoes to fall in realignment. If we want to go strictly basketball, the Big 12 has been tied to Gonzaga and UConn. There have also been some low-key rumblings about Memphis too, although those have quieted down considerably. Regardless, the Big 12 is not going anywhere. It is going somewhere!
My favorite thing about these newest additions is the passion everyone involved seems to be emanating. Obviously, the four schools coming in are ecstatic about the opportunities ahead of them. Even more important, the eight conference affiliates who are planning to stay could not be any happier to have them join their league. The competition this might generate could be amazing.
Overall, we are looking at the early stages of a revamped power conference that will be capable of sending at least two teams in the College Football Playoff annually, as well as maybe upwards of 10 teams into March Madness each spring. There may no longer be a traditional power on the football field, but the opportunity will be there for the taking for someone to just go grab it then.
The momentum Yormark has generated through his great leadership has this conference thriving.