Pretty good interview covering a few different topics and adds a little more perspective on his thinking. Unless I missed someone else posting it (apologies if so), I guess it fell through the cracks. The article was posted on the 12th, but I just learned about it from a Youtube video that was posted a few hours ago. Here is a portion of it.
Quote:Q: If we talk two years from now and you have not added two schools to get back to 14, would you be disappointed?
YORMARK: “That’s a great question. First time I’ve been asked that way. I would say if in two years we have not solidified ourselves at 14, I would be a little disappointed. Just because I’m so bullish on our conference. I think there is really opportunity and possibility out there for us. I love the 12. I think we have great makeup right now, especially with the four new members and the continuing eight.
But two years from now, I’d like to see us kind of look at things a little differently and maybe look a little differently. And hopefully, that happens. And if that doesn’t happen, it is okay. But I’d say I guess I’d be slightly disappointed.”
Q: Is 14 the preferred number?
YORMARK: “You know what, I’m not chasing a number. But I like 14. I like it. You think about media days – we’re going seven [teams] one day, seven the next. It’s a nice, even number. It’s a nice number. I guess you can say I’ve gotten used to it a little bit, even though it’s our first time as a 14-team league. To the extent that we can stay there, it would be great. If we go back to 12 and stay at 12, I guess that’s okay, too. But 14 kind of feels right.”
Q: If you can get there with expansion, why is stretching the league’s footprint coast to coast, all four time zones, and becoming a so-called national conference – why is that important?
YORMARK: “It’s a great question. From a brand perspective, I want us to be perceived nationally and recognized. That wasn’t the case when I took the job. People in New York said, ‘Where are you going?’ The Big 12. ‘The Big what?’ And that’s Ok. Our brand awareness doesn’t resonate everywhere. And I want to change that. One way to change that is to create a new narrative and profile, which we are doing to leverage the influence of ESPN and Fox.
“Another approach to take is creating a footprint nationally. It gives you a vested interest in those markets. Certainly probably more challenging to do that but certainly a possibility. If the situation presents itself, where it’s additive and creates value, enables us to reach some of our goals and objectives, we’ll do that. But with the case of Rucker Park next week, we’re going to be in New York. We are taking new IP there. We are broadening our horizons, exposing our brand. So, there are different ways to get to where we want to go beyond just expansion – by just creating a presence in these markets that we are not in.
“Last year, about 30 days after I got hired, we did a media blitz in New York. That was the first time we had ever done that as a conference. It gave us a great narrative and great momentum heading into our first football season. There are different ways to accomplish our goals. It’s really incumbent on me to explore all of those different avenues and see where we end up.”
(07-15-2023 06:40 AM)BcatMatt13 Wrote: [ -> ]I think it’s clear he really wants UConn, but the Big 12 presidents likely do not all agree.
UConn does not have brand to bring to the Big 12. It is football that is driving the bus, and Yormark have been pursuing the wrong schools.
Oregon, Washington, Stanford, Utah out of the PAC 12, Boise State, Fresno State and Air Force out of MWC, UTSA and Memphis out of the AAC, Appalachian State out of SBC, Clemson and Florida State out of the ACC, Army and Navy, and North Dakota State and South Dakota State out of the MVFC. The MVFC is like the G6 in FBS actually.
Two power conferences (Big Ten and ACC) have already attempted to "grab" New York City for market and branding purposes. Both leagues even attempted to hold their basketball tournaments in NYC (B1G at MSG) to disappointing results. While in the AAC, UConn did not bring the NYC market in the same ways it had in the Big East. Unsurprisingly, fan interest, attendance and support have all gone up since returning to the Big East. What makes sense through quotes and on paper doesn't always translate into implementation.
I have no doubt that Yormark, who has strong NY ties and NE presence, wants UConn in the Big 12 for all sports yesterday. I strongly sense the Presidents (and ADs/Coaches) feel differently. The reality is that the B12 already has the EST in Cincinnati, WVU and UCF. It also has CST and MST. UConn is an elite basketball brand, but as the top basketball conference, what additional value is it providing? Respectfully, it's not in football.
Personally, believing the PAC is off the board, I'd target Memphis and USF as #13 and #14. Memphis adds a strong market within the geographical footprint (with competitive and resourceful football and basketball), while USF doubles the FL market, adds academics and is proactive against the ACC years down the road when they eventually are raided. UConn will eventually join back with Syracuse, Boston College and Pitt (either as a division in the B12, a reformed ACC or as an independent scheduling alliance in the BE).
"Value" is continually repeated and the Big12's Deputy Commissioner indicated value added (in the context of inviting the Zags and UConn) could be gained by negotiating separate deals for FB and BB.
One of the traits I admire about BY is his willingness to keep his options open and apparently easily hold different scenarios in his mind without losing track of objectives. From my experience, it is hard to do. However, for outsiders it makes it difficult to predict outcomes.
(07-15-2023 08:55 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote: [ -> ]"Value" is continually repeated and the Big12's Deputy Commissioner indicated value added (in the context of inviting the Zags and UConn) could be gained by negotiating separate deals for FB and BB.
Separate deals? Thats still likely 5-6 years down the road.
Yormark wanting to have a bit of New York presence ... I get it. It's actually rather smart. But even if the Big 12 adds UConn, I simply can't see the league having a major impact in NYC/the Northeast (unless, of course, it eventually adds, in addition to UConn, Syracuse, Boston College and Pitt).
The Big East has NYC fairly well locked down in so many ways: the BE tourney in the Garden, recruiting, history, number of fans, media attention and five programs located in Northeast states (Providence, UConn, Seton Hall, St. John's and Villanova).
(07-15-2023 09:54 AM)bill dazzle Wrote: [ -> ]Yormark wanting to have a bit of New York presence ... I get it. It's actually rather smart. But even if the Big 12 adds UConn, I simply can't see the league having a major impact in NYC/the Northeast (unless, of course, it eventually adds, in addition to UConn, Syracuse, Boston College and Pitt).
The Big East has NYC fairly well locked down in so many ways: the BE tourney in the Garden, recruiting, history, number of fans, media attention and five programs located in Northeast states (Providence, UConn, Seton Hall, St. John's and Villanova).
I agree, BigEast basketball has had the NYC market locked down for decades. IMO Mr. Yormark is planting seeds for the future possibility of NE expansion if/when the ACC GOR is cracked. Colorado and Arizona are the targets, UConn is still possible but they don't get you NY unless you pair them with the ACC schools you mentioned Bill.
(07-15-2023 09:54 AM)bill dazzle Wrote: [ -> ]Yormark wanting to have a bit of New York presence ... I get it. It's actually rather smart. But even if the Big 12 adds UConn, I simply can't see the league having a major impact in NYC/the Northeast (unless, of course, it eventually adds, in addition to UConn, Syracuse, Boston College and Pitt).
The Big East has NYC fairly well locked down in so many ways: the BE tourney in the Garden, recruiting, history, number of fans, media attention and five programs located in Northeast states (Providence, UConn, Seton Hall, St. John's and Villanova).
I agree, BigEast basketball has had the NYC market locked down for decades. IMO Mr. Yormark is planting seeds for the future possibility of NE expansion if/when the ACC GOR is cracked. Colorado and Arizona are the targets, UConn is still possible but they don't get you NY unless you pair them with the ACC schools you mentioned Bill.
Do you live in Alaska, SEA (please don't answer if doing so would make you uncomfortable)?
I ask because we have a family friend who lives in Juneau. She's been there for years (with her family) and enjoys it.
(07-15-2023 12:59 AM)Alanda Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty good interview covering a few different topics and adds a little more perspective on his thinking. Unless I missed someone else posting it (apologies if so), I guess it fell through the cracks. The article was posted on the 12th, but I just learned about it from a Youtube video that was posted a few hours ago. Here is a portion of it.
Quote:Q: If we talk two years from now and you have not added two schools to get back to 14, would you be disappointed?
YORMARK: “That’s a great question. First time I’ve been asked that way. I would say if in two years we have not solidified ourselves at 14, I would be a little disappointed. Just because I’m so bullish on our conference. I think there is really opportunity and possibility out there for us. I love the 12. I think we have great makeup right now, especially with the four new members and the continuing eight.
But two years from now, I’d like to see us kind of look at things a little differently and maybe look a little differently. And hopefully, that happens. And if that doesn’t happen, it is okay. But I’d say I guess I’d be slightly disappointed.”
Q: Is 14 the preferred number?
YORMARK: “You know what, I’m not chasing a number. But I like 14. I like it. You think about media days – we’re going seven [teams] one day, seven the next. It’s a nice, even number. It’s a nice number. I guess you can say I’ve gotten used to it a little bit, even though it’s our first time as a 14-team league. To the extent that we can stay there, it would be great. If we go back to 12 and stay at 12, I guess that’s okay, too. But 14 kind of feels right.”
Q: If you can get there with expansion, why is stretching the league’s footprint coast to coast, all four time zones, and becoming a so-called national conference – why is that important?
YORMARK: “It’s a great question. From a brand perspective, I want us to be perceived nationally and recognized. That wasn’t the case when I took the job. People in New York said, ‘Where are you going?’ The Big 12. ‘The Big what?’ And that’s Ok. Our brand awareness doesn’t resonate everywhere. And I want to change that. One way to change that is to create a new narrative and profile, which we are doing to leverage the influence of ESPN and Fox.
“Another approach to take is creating a footprint nationally. It gives you a vested interest in those markets. Certainly probably more challenging to do that but certainly a possibility. If the situation presents itself, where it’s additive and creates value, enables us to reach some of our goals and objectives, we’ll do that. But with the case of Rucker Park next week, we’re going to be in New York. We are taking new IP there. We are broadening our horizons, exposing our brand. So, there are different ways to get to where we want to go beyond just expansion – by just creating a presence in these markets that we are not in.
“Last year, about 30 days after I got hired, we did a media blitz in New York. That was the first time we had ever done that as a conference. It gave us a great narrative and great momentum heading into our first football season. There are different ways to accomplish our goals. It’s really incumbent on me to explore all of those different avenues and see where we end up.”
From what I've heard, WVU actually did really raise the Big 12's profile in the mid-Atlantic region. There are West Virginia diaspora everywhere.
Quote:But two years from now, I’d like to see us kind of look at things a little differently and maybe look a little differently. And hopefully, that happens. And if that doesn’t happen, it is okay. But I’d say I guess I’d be slightly disappointed.”
Translation: B12 presidents aren't unanimous on expansion right now.
(07-15-2023 08:55 AM)Tiger1983 Wrote: [ -> ]"Value" is continually repeated and the Big12's Deputy Commissioner indicated value added (in the context of inviting the Zags and UConn) could be gained by negotiating separate deals for FB and BB.
Separate deals? Thats still likely 5-6 years down the road.
Yes. Discussion starts at about the 3:27 mark with specific reply around 4:16 mark.
Based on his remarks, I speculate a UConn add under the present deal will either be for all sports or is not feasible.
(07-15-2023 09:54 AM)bill dazzle Wrote: [ -> ]Yormark wanting to have a bit of New York presence ... I get it. It's actually rather smart. But even if the Big 12 adds UConn, I simply can't see the league having a major impact in NYC/the Northeast (unless, of course, it eventually adds, in addition to UConn, Syracuse, Boston College and Pitt).
Yappy's big picture includes the ACC's consolation prizes
(07-15-2023 07:46 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote: [ -> ]Note that Yormark mentioned New York three different times in his answer to the last question.
It's obvious he prioritizes New York. That means not only UCONN, but as much of NY and other northeast metropolitan markets as possible that have brands that can be monetized by the Big12.
