Texas A&M to join SEC in 2012
Share This Story
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. (AP)
Texas A&M is set to join Southeastern Conference, the league said Sunday, apparently signaling that legal hurdles have been cleared for the Aggies to leave the Big 12.
CONFERENCE CHAOS
Keeping track of college football's changing landscape:The SEC announced Sunday that the move will be effective next July and that Texas A&M will participate in all sports during the 2012-13 academic year. That gives the SEC 13 members and its first addition since South Carolina and Arkansas in 1992.
The Aggies' defection from the Big 12 had been held up by the possibility of legal action by Baylor and other members, who would not waive their rights to sue the school and the SEC. The statement released by the SEC did not mention that situation, and spokesman Charles Bloom did not immediately return a call seeking comment.
SEC presidents and chancellors voted in favor of the move on Sept. 6.
''We are excited to begin competition in the nation's premier athletic conference,'' Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin said in the statement.
It's unclear if the SEC will add a 14th member for next season or go with unbalanced divisions. Other rumored candidates have included the Big 12's Missouri and West Virginia of the Big East.
Texas A&M initiated the courtship in July, unhappy with rival Texas' Longhorn Network and setting off a tumultuous period for the Big 12.
The Aggies, who play Arkansas Saturday in Arlington, give the SEC entry into major TV markets such as Houston and Dallas
''Texas A&M is a nationally prominent institution on and off the field and a great fit for the SEC tradition of excellence — athletically, academically and culturally,'' commissioner Mike Slive said in the statement.
Four Big 12 teams — Oklahoma, Texas, Texas Tech and Oklahoma State — had explored moving to the Pac-12, which decided not to expand this year.
Oklahoma president David Boren said the nine remaining schools besides Texas A&M agreed last week to give a six-year grant of their first- and second-tier television rights to the Big 12 for the next six years. That means all revenue from the top television games — shown currently on networks owned by ABC/ESPN and Fox — would continue to go to the Big 12 even if a school bolts to another league.
That deal, however, had not been finalized.
The Big 12 also ousted commissioner Dan Beebe last week after five years and replaced him on an interim basis with former Big Eight commissioner Chuck Neinas.
A&M's official departure from the Big 12 was considered the next step needed to determine where this round of conference realignment is headed.
Once that is done, the SEC can decide on a 14th member, if it wants one, and the Big 12 can replace the Aggies.
Related Stories
Trending Now
-
No way Celtics can hang with Heat
Celtics advance to East finals, but Heat have nothing to worry about. -
Report: Vick event sparks backlash
A seemingly innocuous visit from Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Michael Vick caused ... -
Report: Ex-WR Bobby Sippio charged
Former NFL wide receiver Bobby Sippio remained in jail Saturday on charges he and ano... -
Report: UFC Octagon vixen arrested
Report: UFC Octagon vixen Arianny Celeste arrested. -
Report: Matt Forte's knees a concern
One key reason the Chicago Bears are yet to offer a long-term deal to running back Ma...
NCAA FB Videos
Fiutak: Remembering Bill Stewart
Posted: May 21, 2012
Pete Fiutak remembers former West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart.
Pete Fiutak remembers former West Virginia head coach Bill Stewart.
Scout.com: USC nabs top RB
Posted: May 15, 2012
Scott Kennedy on what five-star recruit Ty Isaac means to USC.
Scott Kennedy on what five-star recruit Ty Isaac means to USC.
Hundley getting comfortable
Posted: May 06, 2012
UCLA QB Brett Hundley talks about competing for the starting job.
UCLA QB Brett Hundley talks about competing for the starting job.
NCAA FB Headlines
More Than Sports on MSN
Fox Sports Store
| itemName | itemURL | imageSrc | price | itemDescription |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_Gators/browse/featuredproduct/206368/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_206000/FF_206368_xl.jpg&w=100 | 54.95 | Nike Florida Gators Ladies Ash Classic Full Zip Hoody Sweatshirt |
| Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_USC_Trojans/browse/featuredproduct/454858/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_454000/FF_454858_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike USC Trojans Cardinal Vault Legacy 91 Swoosh Flex Hat |
| adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Nebraska_Cornhuskers/browse/featuredproduct/477038/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_477000/ff_477038_xl.jpg&w=100 | 59.95 | adidas Nebraska Cornhuskers #94 Replica Football Jersey - Scarlet |
| Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Florida_State_Seminoles/browse/featuredproduct/520956/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_520000/ff_520956_xl.jpg&w=100 | 19.95 | Nike Florida State Seminoles (FSU) Ladies My School Local T-shirt - Garnet |
| Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Kansas_State_Wildcats/browse/featuredproduct/681476/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_681000/ff_681476_xl.jpg&w=100 | 23.95 | Nike Kansas State Wildcats Classic Logo Long Sleeve T-Shirt - Purple |
| Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Football Jersey - Crimson | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Alabama_Crimson_Tide/browse/featuredproduct/771453/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_771000/ff_771453_xl.jpg&w=100 | 64.95 | Nike Alabama Crimson Tide #3 2012 BCS National Championship Game Replica Footbal.. |
| Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Ohio_State_Buckeyes/browse/featuredproduct/775105/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_775000/ff_775105_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Nike Ohio State Buckeyes New Coach T-Shirt - Scarlet |
| Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Target Knock Out Performance Pullover Hoodie Sweatshirt | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_LSU_Tigers/browse/featuredproduct/776277/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_776000/ff_776277_xl.jpg&w=100 | 69.95 | Nike LSU Tigers Ash 2012 BCS National Championship Target Knock Out Performance.. |
| Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Charcoal | http://www.foxsportsshop.com/FOX_Oklahoma_State_Cowboys/browse/featuredproduct/780963/source/prsp_ca | http://images.footballfanatics.com/FFImage/thumb.aspx?i=/productImages/_780000/ff_780963_xl.jpg&w=100 | 24.95 | Nike Oklahoma State Cowboys 2012 Fiesta Bowl Champions Locker Room T-Shirt - Cha.. |
Member Comments
Please note by clicking on "add a comment" you acknowledge that you have read the Terms of Use and the comment you are posting is in compliance with such terms. Be polite. Inappropriate posts may be removed by the moderator.