The Big 12 announced it will use an LED-lit glass floor for its men's and women's basketball tournaments next month in Kansas City, the first time such a floor will be used in official competition in the United States.
The Big 12 will be using a glass floor for its basketball tournaments next month.
Designed by German firm ASB, what it brands as a "GlassFloor" features integrated LED technology underneath a playing surface made of layers of safety glass, allowing for graphics, highlights and advertising to be featured and changed at any time. Shot charts, animations and games for fans are among the in-game entertainment it can feature, the Big 12 said.
According to Sportico, the floor features an aluminum and steel skeleton that provides a durable spine, while ceramic layers and laser-etching on the glass create grip for players.
Kharchenkov liked and had no problem with the glass playing surface at Bayern Munich, according to a UA publicist.
The floor has been used in the 2024 NBA All-Star Game and in some foreign arenas, including Bayern Munich'sΒ BMW Park arena, where UA freshman Ivan Kharchenkov played last season.
Bayern Munich installed what it called the world's largest permanently installed video glass floor, covering about 580 square meters, for the 2024-25 season, when UA freshman Ivan Kharchenkov played for the club.Β
The NBA has been testing the technology for potentially wider applications, and Sportico said it also took a minority stake in ASB's American subsidiary.Β
"I'm an old school guy, but this has me thinking of new school ways," Kansas coach Bill Self said in a Big 12 statement, "and from what I've seen and heard, this is the wave of the future. I think it'll be great."
Last season, the Big 12 tournaments featured a branded floor with the roman numerals "XII" in a pattern that was polarizing.
Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said the design last season represented the league's "willingness to push boundaries" in a statement the conference released Wednesday.Β
"This year weβre taking the next step" with ASB's GlassFloor, Yormark said. "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.β
Arizona forward Trey Townsend (4) goes up for a shot during the second half against Kansas in the Big 12 Tournament, March 13, 2025, in Kansas City, Mo.
