KU basketball reportedly eyed for game in Mexico as Big 12 seeks to ‘expand footprint’
The Big 12 Conference reportedly plans to go international as soon as next year.
Per multiple news outlets, the Big 12 is nearing a deal to have football and basketball games played in Mexico.
The Houston Chronicle’s Joseph Duarte first reported the Big 12 hopes to “expand its footprint south of the border.”
One of the first steps could include the Kansas men’s basketball team.
“The Big 12 has not finalized the teams that will play in the international games, but one possibility being discussed would feature a marquee basketball matchup between Houston and Kansas, a source said,” Duarte reported.
Houston joins the Big 12 on July 1, along with BYU, Cincinnati and Central Florida, so a Cougars-Jayhawks game would be a conference contest.
CBS Sports’ Dennis Dodd said no games have been set, but also reported a KU-Houston basketball game has been discussed. Dodd said basketball games would be played at 22,300-seat Arena CDMX in Mexico City, with football games at Estadio BBVA in Monterrey.
The CBS Sports story says women’s basketball, women’s soccer and baseball games could be played in Mexico, too.
The Athletic’s Chris Vannini wrote: “This would be the latest outside-the-box move by Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark, who is intrigued by the international success of various pro sports. College football has played regular-season games in Dublin during the past decade, including a Big Ten game between Nebraska and Northwestern last year, but this would be a larger integration of the Big 12 into the Mexican sports market.”
Duarte reported this could be the first of a broader international presence for the Big 12.
“If the Mexico games go well,” Duarte wrote, “the Big 12 could pursue a bolder approach, a source said, with future games in Europe and Africa.”
