Big 12 tournaments bring the party and new tech to KC
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The stage is set for Big 12 basketball. Photo: Travis Meier/Axios
The Big 12 women's and men's basketball tournaments begin in Kansas City this week, bringing a two-week college party to the Power and Light District.
Why it matters: One of Kansas City's biggest annual events will fill the streets with fans and garner national attention as teams compete ahead of the NCAA tournaments.
- Plus, the conference will debut a new kind of basketball court laced with lights.
The big picture: The women's tournament begins Wednesday with the championship game on Sunday (or Monday, if BYU makes it).
- The men's tournament begins March 10 and runs through March 14.
Zoom in: Fan Fest opens every afternoon of the tournaments on Grand Boulevard and in KC Live! next to the T-Mobile Center.
- Expect college pep rallies on stage, free watch parties and an afterparty headlined by DJ Khaled on March 14.
- The fest will also feature a mobile esports arena, trading cards, merch giveaways and a photo booth.
The latest: New this year is a glass court made up of LED panels, which can display designs and animations during the game.
- It's the first time in the U.S. that this tech, called ASB GlassFloor, will be used in tournament competition, per the Big 12.
- The conference's Instagram shows crews unspooling wires connecting digital panels across the T-Mobile Center.
What they're saying: ASB GlassFloor founder Christof Babinsky said at the T-Mobile Center yesterday that the floor, while interactive and fun, also improves on hardwood courts because it's more uniform, easier on players' bodies and can even show wet spots.
- "I'm an old school guy," KU men's basketball head coach Bill Self said in a statement, but this new floor "is the wave of the future."
- Nicki Collen, head coach for Baylor's women's team, said they got to practice on it: "It plays well."
💠Travis' thought bubble: The court is like a big video board, and officials say it can show advertisements. What are the odds it displays sports betting ads?
Zoom out: Last year's Big 12 tournaments brought in more than 150,000 ticket holders.
- Visit KC estimates both tournaments will have a combined economic impact of $34.3 million.
- ESPN's "College GameDay" show, which will broadcast from the tournament for the first time since 2006, will attract even more national attention.
What to expect: Street closures began Monday, including Grand from 13th to Truman, and 14th Street from Walnut to Grand. Walnut Street from 13th to 14th will close Wednesday.
- Check out this parking map before you leave, and download the Park KC app.
Editor's note: This story has been corrected to say BYU (not TCU) could push the women's championship game to Monday.