The Big 12 opened its two-day football media days on Tuesday at The Star in Frisco, Texas, beginning preparations for the conference’s second season with 16 member schools. Commissioner Brett Yormark used his opening press conference to declare that the league “remains open for business,” saying last year’s first run as a 16-team group “exceeded even our highest expectations.” He reaffirmed support for the 5+11 College Football Playoff format, stressed the importance of maintaining the Big 12’s place among the Power Four, and said the conference intends to broaden its global footprint, pointing to a planned game in Ireland. Yormark added that an announcement due Wednesday will “double down” on the league’s partnership with World Wrestling Entertainment. Yormark said developing nationally prominent programs is “critical” for the Big 12’s long-term profile, even as he touted the competitive balance that produced last season’s tight title race. Individual team sessions quickly shifted focus to player issues. BYU coach Kalani Sitake declined to say whether senior quarterback Jake Retzlaff will transfer after reportedly receiving a seven-game suspension for violating the school’s honor code, noting that the quarterback competition will be settled in camp. Athletic director Brian Santiago defended the code and credited recent name-image-likeness initiatives for the school’s recruiting success. The conference began the day with a moment of silence for victims of the Camp Mystic and Hill Country floods, a tragedy also acknowledged by coaches Joey McGuire of Texas Tech and Dave Aranda of Baylor as media days got under way.