The Big 12's attempt at self-promotion through the Monster Energy partnership is a fascinating case study in the art of 'fake it 'til you make it'. Personally, I find it intriguing how the league is trying to position itself as a powerhouse, despite its historical struggles in the College Football Playoff. What makes this particularly fascinating is the contrast between the league's bold claims and its actual performance. In my opinion, the Big 12's strategy is a bit like a child believing in the Little Engine That Could, despite the odds. The league's commissioner, Brett Yormark, is a natural salesman, but his efforts to hype the Big 12's competitiveness are somewhat cringe-worthy. One thing that immediately stands out is the league's reliance on branding and marketing, rather than actual results. What many people don't realize is that the Big 12's claim to be the deepest and most competitive conference is not supported by its performance in the College Football Playoff. If you take a step back and think about it, the league's 1-8 record in playoff games since 2014 is quite telling. This raises a deeper question: how can a conference with such a poor playoff record claim to be the most competitive? The Big 12's partnership with Monster Energy is an interesting development, but it's just one of many attempts to boost the league's profile. From my perspective, the Big 12's efforts to become globally relevant are admirable, but they need to be backed up by actual results. The league's international games and partnerships are steps in the right direction, but they are not enough to overcome its historical struggles. In conclusion, the Big 12's attempt to position itself as a powerhouse is a bit like a child believing in the Little Engine That Could. While its efforts to boost its profile are admirable, they need to be backed up by actual results. The league's partnership with Monster Energy is just one of many attempts to make a name for itself, but it remains to be seen if these efforts will pay off.
