Big 12 Conference Announces Delay of Big 12 Mexico
On Tuesday, the Big 12 announced that it will formally delay the launch of “Big 12 Mexico,” an initiative that it unveiled in 2023 to expand the conference’s brand to foreign territories.
“Today, the Big 12 announced it will delay the launch of Big 12 Mexico, with a new target date of 2024,” the statement reads. “Since Big 12 Mexico was announced, a variety of major initiatives have been added to the conference’s agenda – headlined by the onboarding of four new member institutions.
“The Big 12 will continue to build its brand in Mexico through its broadcast partners and remains enthusiastic about bringing the Big 12 to Mexico.”
Big 12 Mexico is the Conference’s first international extension that will see Big 12 men’s and women’s basketball, women’s soccer and baseball games held in Mexico, according to a press release from last June.
The men’s and women’s basketball programs at Kansas and Houston were set to kick off the new initiative with games in Mexico City at Arena CDMX in December of 2024, but with the delay those games won’t be on the docket until the 2025 season at the earliest.
“Mexico is a natural extension to the Big 12 footprint, and I’m thrilled to introduce Big 12 Mexico as the Conference’s first-ever international presence,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said. “Through Big 12 Mexico, our student-athletes will have the opportunity to compete in an international setting, and our Conference will have the chance to showcase our brand across Mexico.”
To help build awareness and fandom in the area, FOX and ESPN were set to help spread the Big 12 product across Mexico and Spanish-speaking communities through their ESPN Deportes (U.S – based), ESPN Mexico and ESPN on Star+ (Mexico – based channels and OTT service) and FOX Deportes (U.S. – based) channels, which would air select Big 12 football and basketball games.
The conference was also looking into airing Spanish radio broadcasts for the upcoming Big 12 Football and Basketball Championship games next season, but those plans are expected to be delayed along with the rest of the initiative.
With the conference still planning to move forward with the idea, there’s still plenty of hope for Big 12 Mexico to plan its roots. However, it will be later than anyone had previously hoped.
This story will be updated.
