MORGANTOWN, W.Va. — The Big 12 Conference has found its successor to commissioner Bob Bowlsby. Brett Yormark will be installed as the fifth leader of the conference. His anticipated start date is August 1. Yormark’s initial contract will run for five years. Bowlsby will transition to another role within the league.
Yormark has most recently served as the chief operating officer and co-CEO of Roc Nation, the entertainment company founded by musician Jay-Z. Yormark was the CEO of the Brooklyn Nets and the Barclays Center from 2005-2019. Prior to that, Yormark served as the vice president of corporate sponsorships of 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.”
“In Brett Yormark, we have chosen a highly adaptable leader who thrives in dynamic times. The landscape of college athletics is evolving to look more like the world Brett has been leading,” said Lawrence Schovanec, President of Texas Tech University and Chair of the Big 12 Conference Board of Directors. “He’s authentic and genuine in the way he builds relationships and partnerships, and he works relentlessly to deliver impact. As Brett immerses himself in college sports and connects with all our stakeholders, he will bring a fresh approach and dynamic energy to the Big 12 as we engage a new generation of student-athletes and fans.”