Texas A&M and Missouri were the 2 teams that left the Big 12 for the SEC in the last round of conference realignment almost a decade earlier. Theres a reason Texas A&M left the Big 12: to stand alone to have our own identity.” There was talk at that time about Texas and Oklahoma (along with Oklahoma State) possibly leaving the Big 12 for the Pac-12 (then Pac-10).
Eventually, they stayed with the league they have been members of because 1996. Oklahoma was currently part of the Big Eight when it transitioned into the Big 12 in 1996 by adding Texas as one of 4 programs from the defunct Southwest Conference.However, the Big 12 was reduced to 10 groups during that round of adjustment, and it has actually had a hard time to recover its footing amongst its Power Five peers. Texas and Oklahoma have propped up the league because its reduction in size, and if they did depart, it would put the Big 12 on the brink of collapse.The additions of the Longhorns and Sooners would make the SEC the very first 16-team superconference– a development long-discussed as a possibility should there be another round of conference realignment– while concurrently adding enormous brand power to a league already seen as the very best in college sports.
With College Football Playoff growth coming and the sport as a whole undergoing transformation, another round of conference realignment might be on the horizon. Texas and Oklahoma have both connected to the SEC about joining the league must the 2 Big 12 powerhouses choose to leave their home conference.Citing “a high-ranking college authorities with understanding of the situation,” the Houston Chronicles Brent Zwerneman first reported that the SEC could reveal the additions of the Longhorns and Sooners “within a number of weeks.” CBS Sports can validate that a minimum of Texas has asked with the SEC about admission into the nations most powerful conference.” There is method excessive smoke at this moment,” one Big 12 source tells CBS Sports.The Longhorns are soon anticipated to inform the Big 12 that they do not prepare to extend their grant of media rights offer with the conference, according to Stadiums Brett McMurphy, who also reports that there is shared interest about having Texas and Oklahoma join the SEC. The Big 12s grant of rights agreement expires in 2025. University of Texas regents chair Kevin Elfite lags the pitch, sources inform CBS Sports. Elfite is a 62-year-old business investor in Tyler, Texas, who served in the Texas Senate from 2004-13. He was designated as a regent to the UT system by Texas Gov. Greg Abbott in 2019.
Oklahoma and Texas will deal with resistance from within the Big 12 and beyond. Oklahoma State authorities made it clear they do not support their potential departure for another conference.” We have heard unconfirmed reports that OU and UT approached Southeastern Conference authorities about signing up with the SEC,” OSU stated in a statement. “We are collecting info and will keep track of carefully. If real, we would be gravely disappointed. While we place a premium on history, loyalty and trust, be guaranteed, we will aggressively defend and advance what is finest for Oklahoma State and our strong athletic program, which continues to master the Big 12 and nationally.” As for the SEC, its by-laws specify that 11 of 14 institutions must vote in the affirmative to invite brand-new members to the conference. There might be some current SEC teams– in addition to Texas A&M– that are unwilling to accept additional league members for myriad factors, including issues about future expansion into their states. However, Yahoo Sports Pete Thamel reports that “getting 11 of the 14 votes doesnt appear to be an issue.”
” There is method too much smoke at this point,” one Big 12 source tells CBS Sports.The Longhorns are quickly anticipated to notify the Big 12 that they do not prepare to extend their grant of media rights offer with the conference, according to Stadiums Brett McMurphy, who also reports that there is mutual interest about having Texas and Oklahoma sign up with the SEC. Elfite is a 62-year-old commercial genuine estate investor in Tyler, Texas, who served in the Texas Senate from 2004-13. Texas A&M and Missouri were the two teams that left the Big 12 for the SEC in the last round of conference adjustment nearly a years earlier. Oklahoma was currently part of the Big Eight when it transitioned into the Big 12 in 1996 by adding Texas as one of four programs from the defunct Southwest Conference.However, the Big 12 was minimized to 10 groups during that round of realignment, and it has had a hard time to reclaim its footing amongst its Power Five peers. Texas and Oklahoma have actually propped up the league since its decrease in size, and if they did leave, it would put the Big 12 on the edge of collapse.The additions of the Longhorns and Sooners would make the SEC the very first 16-team superconference– an advancement long-discussed as a possibility ought to there be another round of conference realignment– while simultaneously adding huge brand name power to a league currently seen as the best in college sports.
” The college sports landscape is shifting constantly. We do not attend to every anonymous report,” said the Sooners.In a recent call with Big 12 stakeholders about CFP growth development, Oklahoma president Joseph Harroz Jr. reiterated his schools commitment to the BIg 12, a source on the call informs CBS Sports.
SEC commissioner Greg Sankey would not address the reports while in presence at 2021 SEC Media Days on Wednesday.” No remark on that speculation,” he told CBS Sports. Sankey later included: “We are just worried about the 2021 season. Someone dropped a report from unnamed people.” Texas and Oklahoma released comparable statements declining the acknowledge the reports.