After months of complicated negotiations mixed with several speed bumps, Texas and Oklahoma finally have an early arrival date in the SEC for 2024.
The Big 12 announced an agreement Thursday on the blockbuster move of the Longhorns and Sooners. Texas and Oklahoma had confirmed their exit from their longtime home in July 2021, but the move to SEC was on hold until July 1, 2025, because of the grant of rights agreement between the two schools and the Big 12.
While rumors had circulated for more than a year about an early departure for Texas and OU, the speculation was tempered because of all the moving parts – a couple of blueblood football schools, two power conferences and sports media powerhouses in ESPN and Fox with conflicting agendas. A key aspect was making Fox, a co-holder of Big 12 rights, financially whole for the loss of two ratings magnets a year early.
