Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark bullish on basketball's future in Kansas City

KANSAS CITY, Mo. — College basketball is center stage this week at T-Mobile Center and the surrounding Power and Light District, as was the case Tuesday night when Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark addressed reporters for a news conference to discuss matters related to the conference tournament and other matters.

As he was joined on stage by Kansas City mayor Quinton Lucas, Kansas City Sports Commission CEO and president Kathy Nelson and Raven Jemison, president of the Kansas City Current women's professional soccer team, Yormark announced the Big 12 men's and women's basketball tournament will remain in Kansas City through 2031.

But Yormark also shared that the conference women's soccer tournament will come to Kansas City for at least two years. During a question-and-answer session, he also touched briefly on the College Football Playoffs.

Here are five things, highlighted by basketball, that Yormark had to say.

Related: Big 12 in discussions to extend basketball championships in Kansas City through 2031

Women's soccer finds state-of-the-art home

Not only will the Big 12 women's soccer championship move to Kansas City this fall, but it will occupy CPKC Stadium, home of the Current, a member of the National Women's Soccer League.

The Stadium, which officially opens this weekend, is the "first ever purpose-built women's soccer stadium in the world," according to Jemison.

"So, it's not just about men's and women's basketball, it will be about women's soccer," Yormark said. "And we're so thrilled that we will be a part of this community, and our relationship is growing. And I look forward to being at the KC Current opener this weekend and experiencing the incredible venue that this community has helped to build."

College Football Playoff talks are ongoing

In a brief departure from basketball, Yormark was asked about discussions this week related to the expanding College Football Playoffs.

"There have been ongoing conversations with respect to the next iteration of the CFP," he said. "I think it's fair to say we are making progress. We have had a lot of tough conversations.

"I’m looking forward to those conversations and moving forward in the most appropriate fashion. Nothing is definitive yet. Like I said, it's a work in progress, and I think we will get there."

Related: Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark details plans to grow women's basketball

The women's move to T-Mobile a success

This marked the first year the Big 12 women's tournament moved from nearby Municipal Auditorium to T-Mobile Center, overlapping for one day with the men.

The early returns were positive as the women wrapped up Tuesday night with Texas beating Iowa State, 70-53, for the championship.

"When I took this job, one of the priorities was more equity for our women's basketball programs," Yormark said. "Moving their championship to a world class venue, T-Mobile, for the first time ever was a big step in that direction.

"Fans have been incredibly supportive, in fact we have set some attendance records, and the crowds have been great. Feedback has been great. I can't take credit for that. That was the vision that (predecessor) Bob Bowlsby had, and others at the Big 12 Conference had. I just executed it this year. But it was the perfect vision, came at the right time (and) it was very appropriate. Probably should have happened earlier."

Expanding NCAA Tournament would help the Big 12

There has been talk recently of expanding the NCAA basketball tournament from its current 68-team format, something that Yormark said could help the conference.

"From what I've been told, and what I'm reading, it looks like there could be some modest expansion," he said. "I think 76 is a number that has been floated out there.

"I've been in touch with Charlie Baker and others at the NCAA to get an understanding of how they're thinking about it. The data shows if you expand it to 76, the Power Four conferences will benefit mostly, and at the center of that will be the Big 12. More access is great for us."

The addition of the Four Corner schools and a 16-team tournament

The addition of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado, combined with Texas and Oklahoma leaving for the SEC leaves the Big 12 with 16 teams starting in 2024-25.

"Right now, I love the makeup and composition of this conference, in fact I love it," Yormark said. "As many of you know, I've discussed it before, the Four Corner schools was the best-case scenario for us."

And just how will that affect the conference basketball tournament moving forward? This year only, there were 14 schools participating and now there will be two more.

"All 16 teams will compete in both the men's and women's tournament," Yormark said. "Greater specificity we will give you later, but they all will compete."

Arne Green is based in Salina and covers Kansas State University sports for the Gannett network. He can be reached at agreen@gannett.com or on Twitter at @arnegreen.

This article originally appeared on Topeka Capital-Journal: Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark talks basketball, football, soccer