Yormark: Big 12 ‘striving for’ multiple CFP teams

Published

6 days ago

July 11, 2025

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FRISCO, Texas — Big 12 champion Arizona State was the lone team from the league to reach the 12-team College Football Playoff last season.

It’s incumbent on league members to improve on that output and get multiple teams into the CFP, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark told ESPN on Wednesday.

“I think it credentializes our progress,” Yormark said of having more than one school in the playoff. “I think we need to, and it’s on the football programs to perform at a high level and to get there.”

Arizona State lost to Texas in a double-overtime classic in Atlanta, which Yormark called “probably the most exciting game of the CFP.”

The next step to him is clear: “We need multiple teams and we need to win a CFP game.”

Which teams are the best candidates to do that heading into the 2025 season is still a mystery. The league is muddled at the top, with no clearly dominant program and at least a half-dozen that can make a case to be the preseason favorite.

The Big 12 did not conduct a preseason poll this year, in part because of the lack of clear separation between the top and bottom. Arizona State was picked last in 2024 and won the league. Oklahoma State was coming off a spot in conference title game and went winless in the conference.

Yormark said that as the league grows, it eventually will need teams to rise up as clear favorites. But initially, a “progression” is required.

“First, it’s to make sure everyone’s investing,” Yormark said. “There’s competitive balance, but then you need those outliers. You need those schools that emerge from the pack and be part of a national conversation year-in and year-out. And I think that’s what we’re striving for.”

The case for the Big 12’s strength is built around its experienced quarterbacks, headlined by Arizona State’s Sam Leavitt. But the notion of any prohibitive favorite in the conference is foolish due to glut of solid teams.

Yormark, who recently agreed to a three-year contract extension, said he believes he has been able to help the league with strong direction in the wake of the departures of Texas and Oklahoma to the SEC. That encompasses the league’s efforts to build out to its current 16-team roster, which includes the West Coast wing of Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and Colorado.

“I came here to try to make a difference,” he said. “I wanted another run where I could try to build something, and we’re building something. I think we’re building something pretty special here. And I don’t think anyone would argue that what I inherited and what is there today, we’ve made incredible progress in a relatively short period of time.

“So I’m enjoying the job. I mean, listen, like any job you have your challenges. But I’m enjoying the job. I’m enjoying the space. And candidly, where collegiate athletics is going is closer to where I came from.”

Sports

D-backs star Marte’s home robbed during break

Published

3 hours ago

July 17, 2025

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D-backs star Marte's home robbed during break

Associated Press

Jul 17, 2025, 01:35 AM ET

SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. — A home belonging to Arizona Diamondbacks star Ketel Marte was burglarized during the Major League Baseball All-Star break, according to police.

Scottsdale, Arizona, police confirmed that the department is investigating a “high-dollar residential burglary” that is believed to have happened on Tuesday night, which is when Marte was playing for the National League in its All-Star game win in Atlanta.

Numerous personal items and jewelry were stolen. No one was at home when the burglary occurred.

Police said the home is “reportedly” owned by Marte. Maricopa County Assessor’s Office records show Marte owns a home on the block near the investigation.

Police say the investigation is ongoing.

Marte hit a two-run double in the first inning of the NL’s win, which was secured after a home run contest at the end of the game after the score was tied after nine innings.

The burglary is the latest in a series of thefts from the homes of high-profile athletes across the country this year. Players have been targeted because of the high-end products believed to be in their homes and sometimes the thefts occur when they are away with their teams for road games.

The FBI has warned sports leagues about crime organizations targeting professional athletes. The NFL and NBA have issued security alerts to athletes.

A Seattle man was charged last month in connection with a string of burglaries at the homes of prominent active and retired professional athletes in the area.

Sports

Cubs icon Sandberg ‘continuing to fight’ cancer

Published

3 hours ago

July 17, 2025

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Cubs icon Sandberg 'continuing to fight' cancer

Field Level Media

Jul 16, 2025, 01:09 PM ET

Chicago Cubs legend Ryne Sandberg said Wednesday he is “continuing to fight” cancer and is prioritizing time with those closest to him.

He posted a letter addressed to his fans and extended baseball family on Instagram.

“I wanted to share an update regarding my health,” wrote Sandberg, 65. “It’s been a challenging few months as I have been going through treatment on a regular basis.

“While I am continuing to fight, I’m looking forward to making the most of every day with my loving family and friends.

“I haven’t been to Wrigley Field as much as I hoped in the first half but I’m watching every game and am excited for the second half.”

He threw out the first pitch, surrounded by fellow Cubs greats, before the home opener on April 4.

In January 2024, Sandberg announced he had been diagnosed with prostate cancer, then last August announced he was cancer-free. In December, he said the cancer had recurred and spread. He vowed to “continue to be positive, strong, and fight to beat this.”

Sandberg spent 15 of his 16 major league seasons with the Cubs, along with 13 games at the start of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies (1981).

Sandberg was the 1984 National League MVP, when he batted a career-high .314 with a major-league-leading 19 triples and 114 runs scored as well as 19 home runs, 84 RBIs and 32 stolen bases.

The second baseman also earned the second of his nine career Gold Glove awards that year. He was a 10-time All-Star selection and a seven-time Silver Slugger honoree, batting .285 with 282 home runs and 1,061 RBIs in his 2,164-game career.

Sandberg, who was elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 2005, also spent parts of three seasons (2013-15) as the Phillies’ manager.

Sports

Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

Published

3 hours ago

July 17, 2025

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Rangers give All-Star bonus to snubbed Eovaldi

Jul 16, 2025, 02:10 PM ET

Despite an excellent first half to the season, Texas Rangers starting pitcher Nathan Eovaldi wasn’t selected as an All-Star this year, but the team made sure that he’ll be paid like one.

Despite the snub, Eovaldi was given the $100,000 All-Star bonus in his contract by the Rangers after he posted a 1.58 ERA with 94 strikeouts over 91 innings. Teammate Jacob deGrom, who was selected as an All-Star, also received a $100,000 bonus.

Eovaldi, in his 15th major league season, would lead the majors in ERA, but after missing a month due to a triceps injury, he fell six innings short of the necessary 97 innings to qualify among leaders for individual statistical categories.

Eovaldi, a two-time All-Star, won his third straight game on Sunday to improve to 7-3, giving up five hits and a run with eight strikeouts in 7 2/3 innings against the Houston Astros.

The right-hander ranks second only to Detroit Tigers ace Tarik Skubal among MLB starting pitchers in WHIP (0.85) and strikeout-to-walk ratio (6.71). Opposing batters are hitting a paltry .194 with a .237 on-base percentage, .286 slugging percentage and .523 OPS against Eovaldi.

Eovaldi is scheduled to make his first start of the second half at home on Sunday against Skubal and the Tigers at Globe Life Field.