Big 12 creates business advisory board

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark has tapped into his deep set of contacts to create an advisory board that will assist the conference in shaping and developing its business strategy. Members of the advisory board come from backgrounds in entertainment, finance and consumer brands, as well as technology and media. Yormark has talked extensively since becoming commissioner three months ago about broadening the Big 12’s footprint and brand nationally. Advisory board members will provide insight and counsel, Yormark said, while also providing mentoring opportunities for Big 12 athletes.

Some of the names on the Big 12’s 37-person advisory board, such as country artist Garth Brooks and Mavericks coach Jason Kidd, are familiar to the schools and their fans. Others, like Bruin Capital founder & CEO George Pyne, Endeavor President Mark Shapiro, Translation founder & CEO Steve Stoute, VaynerMedia CEO Gary Vaynerchuk and Vitaminwater and BodyArmor co-founder Mike Repole, are veterans of business building and longtime Yormark associates from his days at the Nets, Roc Nation and NASCAR.

Yormark said the board "will play a crucial role in creating the blueprint to growing our brand and business." He added, "I appreciate each board member’s willingness to assist the Big 12 in crafting our business strategy. Every member brings a wealth of expertise and experience." The Big 12 recently finalized a new media-rights agreement with ESPN and Fox in a deal that will pay the conference $380M annually through 2030-31. “It’s a thrilling time in college sports, especially for the Big 12,” Repole said through the conference. Each advisory board member will be credentialed with an all-access pass to each Big 12 conference championship event.

Download the Big 12 advisory board