Is It Time For Permanent Sites For Big 12 Championships?

I was mulling over this question during the Oklahoma-Missouri game tonight: Should the Big 12 toss its current practice of rotating championship sites, and go to permanent sites? The SEC holds its basketball and football championships in Atlanta, and they are doing well, so I don't see why it can't work for the Big 12, too.

Since I believe the setup in Kansas City is more conducive to a positive experience during March, I think they should keep the Big 12 men's and women's basketball tournaments in KC. While Kemper Arena is an old relic, it is still standing and still able to host the women's tournament, which is something Dallas will lack when they tear down Reunion Arena. I don't see Dallas building another multi-use facility which can be used for hosting women's basketball, so even though they have a jewel in American Airlines Center, Dallas really isn't a viable host for both tournaments. The fact that both arenas are within walking distance in Kansas City also supports the argument to make them a permanent site for the Big 12 basketball tournaments.

Currently, there is not a viable minor league facility in the Metroplex to host the Big 12 baseball tournament, so I support keeping it in Oklahoma City for the time being. The one stipulation I would make to Oklahomans is that they need to actually start supporting the tournament, and that means attending the championship game even if Oklahoma or Oklahoma State are not playing. I am tired of seeing empty seats when they show the tournament championship game on television simply because too many Oklahomans are bandwagon frontrunners. I've heard from too many Okies that Oklahomans love their baseball; well, step up and prove it.

I think we should move the football championship game to a permanent site at the new Cowboys' stadium in Arlington. The new Arlington stadium is going to be a jewel, and it will be a fitting site to host the game year after year. Texans are passionate about their football, and the game will be well-attended in the Metroplex if you make it a yearly event. Add in the central location of the Metroplex to other Big 12 schools, and the fact that the Big 12 Conference offices are located in Dallas, and the selection for Arlington as a permanent site is a no-brainer. The Alamodome in San Antonio really isn't a viable site because it is poor facility for watching football games (bad sightlines), and because of the issues San Antonio has with hosting major sporting events. Their event management is lacking. Houston's Reliant Stadium would be the Arlington stadium's most serious competitor as a permanent site. However, given the location of the Big 12 offices and proximity to all the Big 12 South schools, I think the Metroplex is a better site for a permanent home. There is also the fact that virutally all Big 12 schools recruit the D/FW area for football, so locating the site here where recruits and players' parents could see the game also makes sense.