Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark announced that the arena will transition to hardwood floors for the tournament’s finals. Initially, Kansas City’s T-Mobile Center featured innovative glass-covered LED floors for fan engagement and advertising. However, due to player concerns about slipping and grip, observed during both the women’s and men’s tournaments, the decision was made to revert to hardwood for the semifinals and championship games.
The LED floors, which debuted at the 2024 NBA All-Star game, provide animations and graphics responsive to player movements. They offer a softer surface than traditional hardwood with equivalent grip. Yet, players have experienced slipping, as noted by Texas Tech’s Christian Anderson, who attributed a groin injury to the LED floor during a game.
This prompted coaches and Yormark to change the floors back to hardwood. Opinions on the LED floors vary, with some, like Texas Tech Coach Grant McCasland, highlighting the challenges of adapting to the new surface due to a lack of playtime on it. LED floors allow continuous use during games without creating shadows, unlike projectors, which are limited to sidelines. Nevertheless, they depend on player acceptance and non-disruptive animations.