Big 12 commish Brett Yormark reveals partnership with $3 trillion worth Microsoft for Surface tablets in CFB games 

The Big 12 is set to do a lot of great things in the world of college football. After surviving an existential threat that arose from the exit of Texas and Oklahoma, it was evident to the leader that innovation was the way forward to keep the conference relevant in the landscape.

During the Big 12 Media Days on Wednesday, Commissioner Brett Yormark announced the conference’s partnership with Microsoft. The tech giant, with over $3 million in market cap, is set to provide the league with its Surface tablets to be used during football games.

The innovation is set to kick off in the upcoming season. According to Yormark, the tablets will be allowed on the sideline and in the coaches' booth when the game is on. This development comes at the same time the landscape is introducing helmet communications.

“We are partnering with Microsoft for tablets on the field and in the booth during football games,” Brett Yormark said.

Brett Yormark offered his view on Big 12’s private equity partnership

The Big 12 was reported to be considering taking private equity investment, which will be the first of its kind in collegiate athletics, back in June. This is in a bid to bridge the growing financial gap between the league and the two biggest conferences, the SEC and the Big Ten.

During the Media Days event on Wednesday, Brett Yormark gave his opinion on the issue. The commissioner made it known that he believes the idea is a good one considering the radical changes that have happened in the world of collegiate athletics over the last couple of years.

"I do believe that given where we are as an industry, having a capital resource as a partner makes a ton of sense, Yormark said. "That’s how you conduct good business."

Going by his words, the conference will continue to explore the possibility of taking an investment from a private equity firm. The commissioner seems not ready to abandon the idea despite the backlash from several quarters since it was first reported in mid-June.

According to reports, the Big 12 is already in discussion with Luxembourg-based CVC Capital Partners for a potential deal. The conference is looking at a potential cash infusion of $800 million to $1 billion in exchange for a 15% to 20% stake in the league.

There's now a lot of anticipation to see how the potential deal eventually turns out and how it positively affects the Big 12 and its members when it gets sealed.