Two contact sports are colliding, as the Big 12 Conference and the WWE have announced a partnership for the 2023 Big 12 Conference Championship game. Here’s more about the newly-formed partnership, and what it entails.
Big 12 Conference and WWE Announce Partnership for Championship Game
The 2023 college football postseason will feature a new twist in the Big 12 Conference. The conference itself announced on Thursday that it would be partnering with the WWE for the Conference Championship game.
The Big 12’s partnership with the WWE will bring several new and exciting developments to the fold for the Conference Championship game in 2023:
- The game’s Most Outstanding Player will get a custom belt with both WWE and Big 12 branding, and a WWE star will present the belt.
- Exclusive Big 12 and WWE partnership merchandise will be available to fans.
- WWE stars will be set to host pre-game hospitality events ahead of the Conference Championship.
- A custom logo featuring Big 12 and WWE branding will be present on the field, as well as throughout the stadium.
In a statement, Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark expressed a desire to expand the Big 12’s reach, market to new audiences, and connect spectators through the world of sports — and expressed optimism toward the partnership’s ability to achieve such a feat.
MORE: College Football Players Turned Wrestlers
The Big 12 Championship game in 2023 will be held on December 2 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
The Texas Longhorns — who will move to the SEC with the Oklahoma Sooners in 2024 — currently lead the Big 12 at 6-1 in conference play. Four other teams — Oklahoma State, Oklahoma, Kansas State, and Iowa State — are tied at 5-2 in conference play.
The latest Big 12 Standings indicate just how close the conference is in terms of vying for that second spot to take on Texas. A lot will be decided in the final two weeks of the Big 12 season.