Big 12 Pulls Plug on LED Courts

Afternoon Edition

March 13, 2026

After a splashy rollout of its high-tech LED court, the Big 12 is scrapping the experiment mid-tournament after players complained about slippery conditions. The conference is ditching the surface and will revert to a traditional hardwood floor for the semis and title game.

—Eric Fisher

First Up

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A 30-year-old entrepreneur secured a stake in the Celtics and now wants to help grow the franchise’s presence in China and across Asia. Read the story.
The federal regulator overseeing prediction markets signaled new rules as sports event contracts draw scrutiny from leagues. Read the story.
Falcons star James Pearce Jr. was charged with three felonies after allegedly crashing his car into that of WNBA star Rickea Jackson. Read the story.

Big 12 Ditches LED Court Mid-Tourney After Player Concerns

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A big technological idea has gone bust, at least for now, as the Big 12 Conference has abandoned its plan to use an LED court for the rest of its men’s basketball tournament.

The Big 12 originally unveiled the high-tech court earlier this month, featuring an ability to change digital graphics on the glass surface at will. Players in both men’s and women’s basketball, however, frequently complained of the new court being overly slippery. The situation then hit a heightened point of tension after Texas Tech star Christian Anderson left his team’s quarterfinal loss to Iowa State after slipping on the floor and injuring his groin.

As a result, the conference will revert to a traditional hardwood floor beginning with Friday’s semifinals.

“After consultation with the coaches of our four semifinal teams, I have decided that in order to provide our student-athletes with the greatest level of comfort on a huge stage this weekend, we will transition to a hardwood court for the remainder of the tournament,” Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement. “We look forward to a great semifinals and championship game.”

Not Everyone Bought In

That statement marked an about-face from Yormark’s prior, unabashed support of the court, which he called “the future.” This was the first time that the technology had been used in official U.S. competition.

“Any time you innovate, you never get 100% buy-in,” Yormark said earlier Thursday on ESPN. “I like where we are. Obviously, it’s all about the student-athlete’s safety, first and foremost. We did a lot of due diligence with [manufacturer ASB] from Europe. It’s FIFA certified. It’s used in EuroLeague; it’s used in other parts of the world as well. We’re excited to be there first [in the U.S.], and we’re looking forward to the next couple of days.”

Coaches and players supported the switch.

“I think it’s the right thing to do,” said Kansas head coach Bill Self. “That doesn’t need to be the storyline. … The narrative [Friday] needs to be the two games and not somebody slipping on the floor.”

Manufacturer Claims

ASB, the German company that manufactured the court, originally claimed that the high-tech floor was better for reducing athlete wear and tear, and that it featured a grip superior to many NBA hardwood floors. Upon the announcement of the Big 12 project, ASB GlassFloor America CEO Chris Thornton said the floor “is engineered to enhance athlete safety while delivering the elite performance standards players demand.”

At least so far at Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center, those boasts haven’t held up to game use. The Big 12 semifinals, meanwhile, will feature four top-15 teams in the country among No. 2 Arizona, No. 5 Houston, No. 7 Iowa State, and No. 14 Kansas—as well as a series of NBA hopefuls who are being actively scouted during the tournament.

“The floor is slippery,” said Kansas guard Melvin Council Jr. “I didn’t want to fully, fully run.”

How On Location Is Elevating World Cup

The FIFA World Cup 2026™ will be the largest tournament ever, spanning 16 host cities across North America. With just under 100 days until kickoff, the window to secure premium hospitality is drawing near.

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As sports hospitality becomes a more strategic business tool, On Location is positioning brands at the center of the world’s biggest sporting moment.

Learn more about FIFA World Cup 2026™ hospitality here.

LOUD AND CLEAR

Recruiting Just Got Harder

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“It’s gonna sting. There’s no question about it.”

—Seahawks GM John Schneider, speaking on KIRO-AM about Washington state’s new “millionaire’s tax” and its potential impact on recruiting NFL players.

Washington lawmakers approved a measure that would impose a 9.9% tax on annual earnings above $1 million, ending the state’s longstanding status as one of the few without an income tax. Because most pro athletes easily surpass that threshold, the change could reshape how Seattle teams compete for talent.

To Schneider’s point, differences in state tax policy have long played a role in where athletes sign, with players often structuring contracts, deferring income, or establishing residency in lower-tax states to limit their exposure. Schneider warned the new tax could remove a recruiting advantage the Seahawks have historically used against teams in higher-tax states like California. Read the story.

ONE BIG FIG

The 83-Point Effect

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$1 million (or best offer)

That’s the asking price on eBay for the most expensive Bam Adebayo card ever sold at public auction after his historic 83-point performance sparked a surge in demand across the collectibles market. One collector who previously bought the card for about $11,655 listed it on eBay for $1 million (or best offer) following the record-setting night.

Experts say milestone performances often trigger immediate buying frenzies among collectors, even if the player isn’t typically one of the hobby’s biggest stars. While Adebayo’s items are unlikely to reach the long-term value of memorabilia tied to legends like Kobe Bryant or Wilt Chamberlain, the game quickly turned the Heat center’s cards and memorabilia into some of the hottest items on the market. Read the story.

Greatness Moves Us

Toyota backs the journeys that shape athletes every day. From early-morning practices to road games and the long rides home, Toyota’s partnership with Team Toyota celebrates the dedication and belief that drive progress over time.

By supporting athletes like Erin Jackson, Jessie Diggins, and Andrew Kurka, Toyota highlights the commitment, momentum, and resilience required to compete at the highest levels—on and off the field of play.

Because every destination has a beginning.

FOS NEWS

NFL Network’s Uncertain Future

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Front Office Sports senior reporter Michael McCarthy breaks down the looming changes at NFL Network as ESPN prepares to take control of the channel beginning April 1.

McCarthy explains what the transition could mean for on-air talent, including uncertainty around shows like Good Morning Football and key insiders, such as Ian Rapoport. He also discusses how the shift could affect longtime staples like NFL Draft coverage—and weighs in on the league’s latest scheduling idea: a possible Thanksgiving Eve game that could create a nine-day stretch with games on seven different days.

Watch the video.

STATUS REPORT

Two Up, Two Down

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Kyler Murray ⬆ The former Cardinals quarterback signed a one-year contract with the Vikings on Thursday. Murray’s deal with Minnesota is worth $1.3 million, as he is owed $36.8 million from Arizona after his release. The quarterback, who was the No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft, earned $170 million in his seven seasons with the Cardinals.

NHL ⬆ The Senators and Blackhawks will play two regular-season games in Düsseldorf, Germany, next season. The most recent NHL game in Germany was a 2024 preseason game between the Sabres and EHC Red Bull München, with Buffalo and the Kings playing the last regular-season game in the country in 2011. The NHL and NHLPA additionally announced they have committed to playing regular-season games in Germany for at least the next three seasons.

Team USA ⬇ The U.S. pitching staff will look very different for the team’s World Baseball Classic quarterfinal game against Canada, with five players returning to spring training. Relievers Will Vest, Tyler Rogers, and Tim Hill will replace Tarik Skubal, Michael Wacha, and Ryan Yarbrough. Replacements have yet to be named for starters Matthew Boyd and Clay Holmes, who also reported back to their respective teams.

Trinidad Chambliss ⬇ The Ole Miss quarterback revealed his eligibility dispute with the NCAA has cost him the opportunity to be the cover star of EA Sports’s college football video game. In a 37-page motion filed Thursday, Chambliss said he was one of three finalists as of last week, but he was later told the company could not take the risk of putting him on the cover if he was not granted eligibility.