From Houston Chronicle
Quote:
SCOTTSDALE, Ariz. The Big 12 is set to expand its footprint south of the border.
The conference is aiming to host regular-season football and men's and women's basketball games in Mexico within the next two years, two sources with knowledge of the plans told the Houston Chronicle.
The University of Houston, which is set to join the Big 12 on July 1, has expressed interest and is on the short list of men's basketball teams that could play in Mexico City as early as the upcoming 2023-24 season. 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.
A source said the Big 12's plan to play in Mexico is an "important step," part of a broader vision to nationalize and, in this case, globalize the league's brand. The Big 12, whose 14-team membership spans three time zones, has been rumored to have expansion interest in Pac-12 schools Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah.
"We want to be a truly national conference from a brand perspective but also a geographic footprint," Yormark said recently.
The Big 12's desire to play games in Mexico would follow in the footsteps of the NFL, MLB and NBA each having made regular trips south of the border in recent years while seizing an opportunity to become the first U.S.-based conference to play in the region. There has never been a game between two U.S. college football teams played in Mexico.
