Big 12 Announces It Will Use ASB GlassFloor for 2026 Conference Tournaments

Brett Yormark is on the cutting edge of another innovation within the college athletics space.

The Big 12 on Wednesday announced the conference basketball tournaments will feature an ASB GlassFloor, a full LED video court. The LED technology is beneath the playing surface, allowing dynamic graphics to display on the floor. It’ll be the first time such a floor has been used for official competition in the United States.

Safety is probably one of the top things that will go to all fans’ minds, but these types of courts have been used at the 2024 NBA All-Star Game, in Euroleague games and other FIBA-sanctioned competitions. The Big 12’s release states the floor “enables real-time branding, in-game activations, and data-driven visuals that seamlessly adapt across basketball and other sports without compromising performance, durability, or student-athlete safety.”

“Our goal at the Big 12 is simple: keep raising the bar,” Yormark said in the Big 12’s release. “Elevating our league’s profile and adding real value to our programs requires a willingness to push boundaries. Last year, the introduction of the XII pattern on our tournament court did exactly that, and this year we’re taking the next step with ASB GlassFloor. This technology represents the future and bringing it to our basketball tournaments reinforces our commitment to innovation, positioning the Big 12 as a different league and national leader in elevating the game.”

The court will debut at the Big 12 women’s tournament on March 4. The men’s tournament gets going March 10 in Kansas City. The Big 12’s release states visual effects could include dynamic court designs, shot charts, interactive games for fans during timeouts and immersive animations following key plays.

Kansas coach (and OSU alum) Bill Self was also quoted in the release.

“Since Commissioner Yormark has been in charge of our league, there have been many new initiatives and developments to promote and elevate the Big 12, and I believe playing on the glass floor is something that will receive great interest,” Self said. “I’m excited about it. I’m an old school guy, but this has me thinking of new school ways, and from what I’ve seen and heard, this is the wave of the future. I think it’ll be great.”