Patterson Eyes Global Expansion for University of Texas

Texas athletic director Steve Patterson has his eye on China and potentially the Middle East as vast new markets to expand the Longhorns' burnt orange brand and establish geographic footprints for the school and its sports around the globe.

The leader of the nation's wealthiest athletic program also insisted Tuesday that university athletes are students, not employees. If they want to be treated as workers, they should turn pro.

Texas is scheduled to play a men's basketball game in China in 2015 and Patterson says he's had some discussions about playing sports in Dubai to help promote the school around the world. He has even floated playing football in Mexico.

Patterson showed no interest in resuming a rivalry with a school just 100 miles away: Texas A&M.

Copyright The Associated Press
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