With news as big as Texas, the Big 12 has taken the first step in the resurrection of a rivalry that has been buried for 11 years.
According to a report by the Big 12, the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas have agreed to leave its prospective conference a year earlier and join the SEC following the 2023-24 athletic year.
Compensation of over $100 million, sources said, in foregone distributed revenues has been asked of the two programs due to the early withdrawal from the Big 12.
“As I have consistently stated, the Conference would only agree to an early withdrawal if it was in our best interest for Oklahoma and Texas to depart prior to June 30, 2025,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a press release. “By reaching this agreement, we are now able to accelerate our new beginning as a 12-team league and move forward in earnest with our initiatives and future planning.”
As of July 1, 2024, the SEC will consist of a 16-team league with two new additions. Two teams that Texas A&M has not shared a conference with since their departure from the Big 12 on July 1, 2012.