Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark met with the media on Tuesday ahead of the 2025 Big 12 Men’s Basketball Tournament and discussed several topics of interest before tip-off.
Heading into his third Big 12 Tournament as commissioner, Yormark has helped grow the Big 12 brand in popularity and has helped maintain what is known as the best basketball tournament in the country.
Here are some of the most significant topics he covered at the podium.
Raving About Kansas City
Yormark continued in a common trend of sharing high praise for the Big 12 Tournament host city, Kansas City.
“There’s not a day I walk through Kansas City that people aren’t raving about the people and the staff and the building.”
RELATED: First-Time Big 12 Tournament Reporter Raves About Kansas City Compared to Las Vegas
On Court Design: “The Court isn’t about me”
The “XII” court design for the Big 12 Tournament has people divided, at least among fans.
However, Yormark says that the design is not about him, but about the players.
“The court isn’t about me. It’s about the student-athletes.”
He also said that, personally, he loves the design.
“We wanted to make a profound statement, and I think we did. I love it.”
On Further Expansion: “I love where we are…”
Naturally, Yormark’s public appearance led to a question about expansion as it relates to the Big 12.
July 1 will mark the first calendar year of a 16-team conference, and Yormark says that he’s pleased with where his league is.
“I love 16 teams. I love where we are… Expansion is not on my radar at the moment, but I can’t sit here and say we’ll be at 16 for the next 10 years.”
Should March Madness Expand Further?
There is momentum for the NCAA Tournament to expand from 68 teams to 76 teams, and it appears that the Big 12 Commissioner is supportive of that idea.
“I think that’s the right number,” Yormark said when asked.
The Latest on CFP, College Football Conversations
Yormark also took the time to discuss the discussions going on in college football, including where the Big 12 stands on the upcoming College Football Playoff.
“I try to represent the conference well. Our opinions are being heard. The relationship between the P4 conferences has never been better… My #1 guiding principle is what’s best for college football. If you ask my colleagues that they’d say the same thing.”
