What the-- Dubai???

Per BON:
Athletics director Steve Patterson is fond of referring to the university as an international brand and has made the promotion of that brand a clear imperative, as the men's basketball team will open the 2015-16 season against the Washington Huskies in Japan.

Potential plans to play a football game in Mexico City never panned out for Patterson, apparently because of some donor backlash against the idea, but Dubai has a been a possibility for some time after Patterson discussed his future plans with ESPN last fall:

"We have a lot of folks in the oil and gas industry," Patterson said. "Houston is the center of the world in terms of the gas industry. A lot of those alums spend time in the Middle East, and Dubai is a place that wants to use sports to help put itself on the map. So we'll have some conversations, and we'll see where they lead."​

Now those conversations are starting to happen in earnest, with Mack Brown as the ambassador for the school doing what he does best -- glad-handing with alums (read: donors and potential donors) and in general using his political charm to benefit the university.

Potential impediments to the game include finding a suitable stadium, the time difference, and the scorching September temperatures in Dubai. As for potential opponents, the Chat Sports report mentioned Notre Dame, Ohio State, LSU, Army, and Navy.

 

Donor points are tripled for season ticket holders in Dubai

 

Yet another road trip I can't afford to make.

 

Hmmmmmmmm.

Wonder what kind of food and beverages will be prepared / allowed at Dubai tailgates?

Will the co-ed Cheerleaders and Chaps Girls be required to be covered while performing at the games?

 

Having been to UAE, I sure hope the game is scheduled for late October or November time frame. I hate that ******* part of the world. I have no idea why anyone would choose to live there. Maybe my view is skewed but to each their own.

 

Steve Patterson is insane.

 

Just my opinion, but it would be an embarrassment for Patterson to schedule a Texas game in Dubai after jacking up season ticket prices, parking, etc.

BTW, Texas A&M already has a branch University in Qatar. Maybe Patterson is going to renew the rivalry over there.

 

Also, why not play in Europe where they have already been exposed to American football. Hell, why not play the Notre Dame game in Ireland next year as ND's home game? I know they played this past season over there.

 

Why not play Texas football games in Texas where the vast majority of Texas fans, ticket holders and supports already live?

 

Patterson must be trolling us. gotta be. You think September home games were hot ... Oh my.

 

Patterson needs to GTFO! Why is Mack still reping UT? New contract? Come back Kid?

 

GlobalTM LonghornTM BrandingTM

 

Dionysus you forgot the hashtag # to make it cool #lame

 

Does anyone think the officials and people of Dubai will like Sally's cookies?

 

Any idea how many fake championships they're claiming over there? #WRTDesert

 

I hear they’re competitive in the MEC (Middle Eastern Conference)

 

Wouldn't that be MECCA (Middle Eastern Caliphate Conference of Arabs)?

 

AAS

 

Will they know what to do with orange slices for all?

 

"Good morning. It's Tuesday, 8:24 here in Dubai. 14 1/2 hour flight from Houston."

A 14.5 hour flight ain't bad if you're living it up in first class, which I'll guess is where Mack, his wife, and Patterson's wife were lounging.

Times certainly have changed. I remember when UT and Mack were worried about that LONG flight to Honolulu for the Hawaii game (and this potential flight is much longer!). Also, how in the hell would the teams be able to handle the scorching heat. Yes, I know: "it's a dry heat", but seriously, do you think a great team would risk opening a season under those conditions? Ball State, yes, Notre Dame or Ohio State, I doubt it.

 

David Thomas is now in charge of cookies and orange slices. You're welcome

 

You say hello, I say Dubai

 

Ricky Brown is in charge of security for the team.

I saw what you did there

 

Pretty ******* weird, if I do say so myself. What a contingent.

 

Strong coaches and Brown glad-hands - seems to be the best of both worlds. Brown will raise more than his annual retainer on this trip alone.

 

Modern development and lots of outward signs of progress masking a deeply conservative society, women who defer to their menfolk, religious beliefs viewed as an acceptable foundation for government policy, the holy book a part of classroom curriculum and textbooks....oh wait, are we talking about Texas, or Dubai? Well, Texas outside of Austin anyway.

 

Almost paradise

 

Doesn't look like there will be a game after all...

 

Mac has to earn his $500,000 annual salary doing something for UT.