IARP ruling for Kansas basketball a ‘fair one for all,’ says Big 12 Commissioner

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark backed the IARP ruling for the Kansas basketball program during the conference’s media tipoff yesterday.

The Kansas Jayhawks had been under fire for their involvement in the strung-out FBI investigation into college basketball, but the NCAA finally ended the six-year-long witch-hunt last week.

Despite initially being charged with five Level I violations, the recent IARP ruling determined the punishment for Kansas basketball to be three-year probation with a pair of Level II and Level II violations. There have been mixed feelings about the matter, considering the pending penalties hung over the university’s head for half a decade, but KU seems to have the backing of Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark.

During the first meeting of the Big 12 Basketball Media Days, Yormark unveiled some noteworthy information about the conference. He revealed that schools will play 20 conference games instead of 18 starting next season and discussed the future site for the Big 12 Tournament. However, Kansas basketball fans will be more than pleased when listening to what he had to say about the school’s involvement in the FBI probe.

After being asked about the money that Kansas basketball would have to return to the conference, he sprinkled in a little support for Bill Self.

“I’m not familiar with that dynamic, as far as the economics there. All I can say — it was a campus issue. I think the program’s been vindicated, and I think the outcome was a fair one for all. I’m sure they’re happy with it. But the economics and the financials, I’m not aware of.”

A response like that should be satisfying to hear for the Jayhawk faithful, with all of the criticism opposing fanbases are directing toward KU. Thankfully, Yormark believes Kansas has been cleared of any wrongdoings and can move forward without worrying about what is to come from the NCAA.