The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners could be closing in on a move to the Southeastern Conference, just days after reports first surfaced that the powerhouse Big 12 programs reached out to SEC officials.
Big 12 officials held a meeting Thursday to discuss possible moves in light of Texas and Oklahoma considering a departure. Athletic directors and university presidents from every Big 12 program, except Texas and Oklahoma, took part in the conference call, per ESPN.
Now, as the conference weighs its future, the Sooners and Longhorns seem to be moving forward with their efforts to be part of SEC expansion.
According to The Austin American-Statesman’s Kirk Bohls, a Big 12 source said that the move is almost done. Texas and Oklahoma have reportedly worked on this for months, conversations that Texas A&M allegedly wasn’t made aware of.
If talks continue to progress, per Bohls, a move to the SEC could become official within the next week.
Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork, whose program joined the SEC in 2012, spoke out about the Longhorns’ potential move. But based on reports, the Aggies were completely kept out of the loop as the SEC discussed expansion in recent months.
Before Texas and Oklahoma can join the SEC, the conference must hold a vote among its 14 current members. According to Bohls, Texas A&M and Missouri are already planning to vote against welcoming the Sooners and Longhorns.
The SEC needs 11 of its 14 programs to vote in favor of bringing in Texas and Oklahoma, so the conference could afford to have one more program objecting.
If Texas and Oklahoma work things out with SEC officials, a vote would likely be scheduled for later this year. Both schools are not renewing their Big 12 media contracts, leaving the conference’s future very uncertain.
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