Brett Yormark: Longhorns Early Departure For SEC 'Win-Win' For All Parties
ARLINGTON -- Brett Yormark likely would have loved to have seen Texas and Oklahoma stay for the foreseeable future of the Big 12, but he knew the writing was on the wall that the two flagships were bound for a new chapter.
Instead of holding on to the past, Yormark welcomed the future, permitting the two programs to leave the Big 12 early. Now, the Longhorns and Sooners will enter their final year as members of the conference before departing for the SEC on July 1, 2024.
Fans who adore the conference might consider the departures a loss in the short term. Yormark, however, sees the decision as a victory for all involved.
“We accelerated Texas and OU withdrawal, which was a win-win for all parties,” Yormark said at Big 12 Media Days Wednesday.
Conversations between the two sides began last summer when Yormark was hired to replace Bob Bowlsby as the next commissioner. News broke during SEC Media Days in 2021 that the Longhorns and Sooners were looking to join the SEC when their current media rights deal ended in 2025.
The original deal kept the two schools in the conference through July 1, 2025. Yormark, however, wanted to ensure attention turned toward the Big 12's future with the arrival of BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati and Houston.
Attention turns toward the 12 programs that will remain past 2024, but Yormark isn't looking to downplay the success of both the Longhorns and Sooners in 2023, stating their efforts and contributions helped put the conference on the map following the dissolution of the Southwest Conference in 1996.
“We plan to use this season to celebrate the incredible strength we have going forward with our eight continuing members, our four incoming members, and to celebrate the impact that Texas and Oklahoma have had on this conference.”
There isn't a plan among programs to celebrate Texas in its final year with the conference other than a simple nod and thanks for the efforts brought forward by the Forty Acres franchise. Yormark, did, however, mention that the early departure was a mutual split from all three parties, rather than a forced decision from one side.
“We all wanted the same thing. We got there," Yormark said. "I’m happy for them. I’m happy for us. We brought closure to an issue that was highly discussed this time last year. I’m happy we did. ”
Want the latest in breaking news and insider information on the Longhorns? Click Here to Subscribe to the Longhorns Country Newsletter
Want even more Texas Longhorns? Check out the SI.com team page here
Follow Longhorns Country on Twitter and Facebook.
Make sure to subscribe to the Longhorns Country Podcast today! Click here To Listen.