Big 12 Media Days Moved to Virtual Format, Scheduled for July 20-21

The Big 12 Conference announced Thursday that it has moved its annual preseason media days to an online format to adapt to the pandemic, canceling the in-person session typically held in the Dallas area just ahead of fall camp. It’s the first major conference to have made such a move amid the global health crisis.

The event is tentatively scheduled for July 20 and 21.

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Tentative?️: July 20-21#Big12FB pic.twitter.com/JMDmdITCgI

— Big 12 Conference (@Big12Conference) May 7, 2020

It’s unclear exactly the format of this year’s event but with Zoom technologies, it seems every coach will be made available to discuss their team and the upcoming season. Media members will likely have a chance to ask questions to coaches and to Bob Bowlsby, the Big 12 commissioner who annually seizes the event to address a state-of-the-conference speech.

Holding the annual event as scheduled would have been impossible — if not highly improbable — given the nature of the event and social distancing measures taking place across the country. Media members crowding into small spaces to ask players and coaches questions isn’t exactly Dr. Fauci approved.

We’ll wait to see the format, but typically each school makes available high profile representatives from each team, so this could mark the start in earnest of a season-long campaign for Chuba Hubbard’s Heisman candidacy as well.