The Big 12 Tournament tipped off on Tuesday in Kansas City, Missouri. As fans tuned in to watch and support their favorite teams, one thing was glaringly bothersome: the court design.

Those online were quick to point out how the wood planks, adorned with repeating Roman numerals "XII" for the conference's logo, were severely distracting to the viewing experience.

"That court isn't about me. It's about our student-athletes," Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said at a news conference Tuesday shortly before the first tournament game tipped off (h/t ESPN).

"When I first got here," he continued, "it was all about modernizing and contemporizing our brand, and connecting to the culture of current and future student-athletes, and that's what we're doing."

The grey-hued court actually debuted on March 5 for the women's tournament. ESPN's report noted the design was created as a part of the conference's partnership with the Undefeated brand, whose "5 strike" logo runs across the baseline.

Many fans online were quick to compare it to the vibrant designs NBA teams used for their in-season tournament games.

"The entire [Iowa State] team said they loved it ... I think it's aspirational," Yormark said. "We wanted to make a profound statement. In life, you never get it perfectly correct, but I think the people that matter the most that are weighing in love it, and that's what matters to me."

Aspirational and profound is one way to put it, but it seems like best business practices are to draw attention to the game being played on the court and not the court itself.

Austen Bundy

Austen Bundy is a journalist and sports junkie from the Washington, D. C. area