Texas, Oklahoma submit formal request to join Southeastern Conference

July 27, 2021

Associated Press,

BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP) — Texas, Oklahoma submit a formal request to join Southeastern Conference.

The SEC released the following statement:

The University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas, two esteemed academic institutions with storied athletics programs, today submitted formal requests for invitations to become members of the Southeastern Conference in 2025.

While the SEC has not proactively sought new members, we will pursue significant 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. The Presidents and Chancellors of the SEC, in their capacity as the conference’s Chief Executive Officers, will consider these requests in the near future. Per the Bylaws of the SEC, a vote of at least three-fourths of the SEC’s 14 members is required to extend an invitation for membership.

NEWS | Statement from @SEC Commissioner @GregSankey: pic.twitter.com/6K9xW2sJ2o

— Southeastern Conference (@SEC) July 27, 2021

With eye on SEC, Oklahoma, Texas move toward leaving Big 12

Oklahoma and Texas took the first formal step toward moving to the Southeastern Conference.

They notified the Big 12 that they would not be renewing an agreement that binds the league’s members through 2025.

The schools sent out a joint statement that made no mention of the SEC and said they intend to honor agreements that give the conference control of the school’s media rights.

Those arrangements run concurrent with the Big 12’s television contracts with ESPN and Fox.

Texas and Oklahoma have been in discussions with the SEC about joining the league, though neither the two schools nor the powerhouse conference has acknowledged that publicly.