Big 12 makes decision on early SEC release for Texas and Oklahoma

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby announced his decision to retain Texas and Oklahoma for the remainder of their deal. The two schools formally submitted paperwork with the conference last week, announcing their intentions to join the SEC in 2025.

Big 12 stance

Following the SEC’s unanimous vote of acceptance and formal invitation on Thursday, Bowlsby released a statement.

“Despite our concerns for the process and for the overall health of college athletics, we will do everything possible to make sure that the student-athletes at both universities enjoy an excellent experience throughout the remaining four years of their participation and competition in the Big 12 Conference,” said Bowlsby.

The four years run out the current Big 12 media deal with ESPN and Fox. The deal is set to expire in 2025.

Multiple reports suggest that Texas and Oklahoma do not plan to see out their contracts and have a plan to join the SEC as soon as 2022. To make that happen, the schools will need to find a way out of their current deal.

Escape strategies

In order to leave before that date, Texas and Oklahoma will need one of three scenarios to play out. The first option is to pay the buyout of at least $75 million to break the agreement. The second option would require reconsideration from Bowlsby and the rest of the Big 12. The conference would reach an agreement for less than the full buyout or waive the fee altogether.

The third way for the two schools to leave the Big 12 before 2025 has drawn widespread attention over the past week after Bowlsby issued a cease-and-desist letter to executives at ESPN. If the Big 12 dissolved before the contract’s expiration, the two schools would be allowed to leave at-will.

In his letter, Bowlsby alleges ESPN talked with at least one conference about taking in Big 12 teams. ESPN has denied the allegations.

More: ESPN responds to Big 12 allegations

Throughout this process, Bowlsby and the Big 12 have expressed disappointment in the way Texas and Oklahoma handled the decision. The conference maintains that they are members of the Big 12 for the foreseeable future.

“Today’s SEC announcement reaffirms that these plans have been in the works with ongoing discussions between the parties and television partner for some time,” Bowlsby said on Thursday. “We are disappointed these discussions went as far as they did without notice to, or inclusion of, other Big 12 members.”

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