ARLINGTON, Texas – Large 12 Convention commissioner Brett Yormark is impressed with what Colorado has accomplished within the first few months of the Deion Sanders period, however he’s actually not able to publicly speak concerning the Buffaloes by way of growth.
On Wednesday at AT&T Stadium, the Large 12 kicked off its annual media days with a information convention from Yormark.
The Pac-12 nonetheless doesn’t have a long-term media rights deal. Rumors and hypothesis of CU and some different colleges probably becoming a member of the Large 12 are nonetheless flying. However, Tuesday was extra about Yormark welcoming the 4 new members to the Large 12 — BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston — relatively than speaking about including extra.
“I really feel like I’ve been speaking about growth for a 12 months now,” mentioned Yormark, who took over as Large 12 commissioner a 12 months in the past. “We have now a plan for growth. I’m not going to essentially deal with it in the present day. You’ll be able to ask me, however I’m probably not going to handle it.
“We do have a plan and hopefully we will execute that plan ahead of later. However as I’ve all the time mentioned, I really like the composition of this convention proper now. The joy the 4 new members have dropped at this convention has been unimaginable and if we keep at 12, we’re completely fantastic with that. If the chance presents itself, the place there’s one thing that creates worth and aligns properly with our targets and aims … then we’re actually going to pursue it.”
The Pac-12’s present media rights deal expires subsequent summer time and the convention has been engaged on a brand new long-term deal for the previous 12 months. A number of instances previously 12 months, there have been stories of a deal being imminent, however at this level, there isn’t any deal in place. Pac-12 media day is scheduled for July 21 in Las Vegas and it’s unlikely a deal can be introduced earlier than then.
With no deal in place, the way forward for CU and different colleges within the Pac-12 has been a scorching matter. For almost a 12 months, there was hypothesis concerning the 4 corners colleges (CU, Arizona, Arizona State and Utah) doubtlessly leaving for the Large 12.
CU will open its season Sept. 2 in opposition to the Large 12’s TCU Horned Frogs, a recreation that can be featured on Fox’s Large Midday kickoff. With the convention sharing the highlight with the Buffs that day, Yormark was requested about CU’s offseason, which included hiring Sanders in December.
“They know model. I’m a model man,” Yormark mentioned. “I believe they’ve accomplished an unimaginable job should you have a look at type of how they’re elevating and amplifying their model and fascinating with their followers. They’ve accomplished a beautiful job. So I want them properly.”
That was the one time Yormark talked about CU particularly. Broader growth questions had been requested, nonetheless, together with the potential of including a Mountain time zone accomplice for BYU.
“(BYU), they create a special time zone clearly, which is nice for us,” Yormark mentioned. “We’re the one convention in America that’s in three time zones, however proper now, I imply there’s nothing on the board (so as to add others). Once more, we’ll discover all choices however till that time, we love the present make-up and we’re enthusiastic about it.”
For this 12 months, the Large 12 will bounce from 10 to 14 members, however Oklahoma and Texas can be leaving the convention subsequent summer time for the SEC. Yormark has acknowledged previously that he wish to keep at 14, however admitted Wednesday he could be completely satisfied remaining at 12.
“I do assume there’s power in numbers,” he mentioned. “However I additionally mentioned we’re not chasing a quantity and that if and when the chance presents itself to remain at 14, we’ll pursue it. However, I did say that and I backpedaled a little bit bit as a result of I spotted it’s not about chasing the quantity. It’s all about creating worth for membership and we’ll see the place that takes us.”
Relating to an growth timeline, Yormark mentioned there isn’t one, however he would love the panorama to settle in some unspecified time in the future.
“From my perspective, I’ve handled it for a complete 12 months, so eventually it will be good to only type of push it apart and simply concentrate on the issues which can be most necessary,” he mentioned. “However you already know, I assume there’s no timeline particularly.”
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