AUSTIN - The University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma officially notified the Big 12 Conference that they will take the first steps toward exiting the conference. As has been widely reported, both schools are expected to join the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Southeastern Conference, where they would form a 16 team superconference starting in the coming years.
The schools indicated in a joint statement early Monday that they had taken the first steps in getting the process started to make an exit.
“The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Oklahoma notified the Big 12 Athletic Conference today that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights following expiration in 2025,” School officials said Monday. “Providing notice to the Big 12 at this point is important in advance of the expiration of the conference’s current media rights agreement. The universities intend to honor their existing grant of rights agreements. However, both universities will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape as they consider how best to position their athletics programs for the future.”
The schools will now wait for approval from the SEC, where the approval of at least 11 of the 14 member schools are needed to extend a formal invitation. Although conference athletic directors are scheduled to meet for a weekly teleconference, no official timetable has been set for when an official vote might be taken.
Many key factors are now in jeopardy for the remaining schools in the Big 12 Conference, which most analysts expect to dissolve following the exit of arguably two of its’ biggest schools. Leaders like Oklahoma State University President Dr. Kayse Shrum have been vocal in their disdain for the decisions made by both schools.
“We are disappointed by the lack of engagement and transparency from our colleagues at OU over the past months on a matter with serious ramifications for our state,” Shrum said on social media. “We have historically worked together to advance our state and address issues based on a partnership built on trust.”
While the initial steps have been taken, it will likely be a waiting game before games are officially played. Big 12 bylaws currently dictate an eighteen month notice for schools who wish to depart the conference.
Oklahoma and Texas officials were not immediately available for comment.
