USA TODAY International Edition

Texas, Oklahoma formally apply for SEC membership

Big 12 schools’ move comes one day after telling conference of intent to withdraw.

- Paul Myerberg Contributi­ng: Steve Berkowitz

Texas and Oklahoma formally applied for membership to the SEC in a letter sent Tuesday to conference Commission­er Greg Sankey, citing the “mutual benefit” to a partnershi­p that would add the historic powers to the strongest league in the NCAA.

Co- signed by Oklahoma President Joseph Harroz and Texas President Jay Hartzell, the letter requests “invitation­s to the Southeaste­rn Conference starting on July 1, 2025,” which would match with the expiration of the Big 12 grants of a media rights deal that marries all members into a revenue- sharing agreement.

It is widely expected that both schools would be able to leave for the SEC in advance of that 2025 date, though not without coming to a buyout agreement with the Big 12.

“We believe that there would be mutual benefit to the Universiti­es on one hand, and the SEC on the other hand, for the Universiti­es to become members of the SEC,” the letter continued.

The formal request comes one day after the schools informed the Big 12 they wouldn’t be renewing the current grants of rights deal, in a move that carries the potential to cause widespread realignmen­t and expansion across the Football Bowl Subdivisio­n and dramatical­ly alter the landscape of college sports.

“The events of recent days have verified that the two schools have been contemplat­ing and planning for the transition for months and this formal applicatio­n is the culminatio­n of those processes,” Big 12 Commission­er Bob Bowlsby said in a statement.

“We are unwavering in the belief that the Big 12 provides an outstandin­g platform for its members’ athletic and academic success. We will face the challenges head- on, and have confidence that the Big 12 will continue to be a vibrant and successful entity in the near term and into the foreseeabl­e future.”

The potential ramifications of SEC expansion has drawn the interest of senators as they continue to weigh the merits of the NCAA model.

“The conference realignmen­t happening in college sports right now is further proof that these decisions aren’t about the athletes or the game — it’s about the money that lines the pockets of the coaches, administra­tors, and sports industry executives,” Sen. Chris Murphy, D- Conn., who has offered two pieces of legislatio­n on the issue, said in a statement provided to USA TODAY Sports.

“That’s why I’m fighting for college athletes’ right to collective­ly bargain, so we can make sure that the players have a full seat at the table — especially when it comes to these money- driven decisions — and finally get their fair share of the billions in revenues they produce.”

In response, Sankey confirmed receipt of the letter and called Texas and OU “two esteemed academic institutio­ns with storied athletics programs.”

Sankey’s response represents the SEC’s first public recognitio­n of the interest expressed by the two blueblood programs, which have combined for 82 conference and 11 national championsh­ips.

Sankey’s statement also suggests the Longhorns and Sooners would not have any trouble garnering the votes needed to join the conference. According to SEC bylaws, any new member must get 11 schools to vote yes; four no votes would deny expansion.

It’s possible the SEC will vote on expansion this week, a person with knowledge of the situation told the Austin American- Statesman. The person requested anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the matter publicly.

“While the SEC has not proactivel­y sought new members, we will pursue significant change when there is a clear consensus among our members that such actions will further enrich the experience­s of our student- athletes and lead to greater academic and athletic achievemen­t across our campuses,” Sankey said.

“The Presidents and Chancellor­s of the SEC, in their capacity as the conference’s Chief Executive Officers, will consider these requests in the near future.”

 ?? JASON GETZ/ USA TODAY SPORTS ?? The SEC football media days last week expected to have about a thousand media members.
JASON GETZ/ USA TODAY SPORTS The SEC football media days last week expected to have about a thousand media members.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from United States