Texas and Oklahoma officially announced their early arrival to the SEC, effective July 1, 2024. After months of negotiations, the Big 12 announced an agreement in principle for the Longhorns and Sooners to leave the conference and join the SEC.
Texas Longhorns execute a running play against the Oklahoma Sooners via Texas Longhorns YouTube
The move is expected to bring a financial windfall to both schools as the SEC announced that each team would receive $49.9 million in revenue distribution for the 2021-22 academic year, a significant increase from the Big 12’s revenue distribution.
In addition, the move is also expected to bring an even more substantial increase in revenue for both schools, with the SEC’s upcoming TV deal with ESPN set to start in 2024. Texas and Oklahoma will forgo the $50 million each school would have received in the next two seasons as per the Big 12 media contracts.
Davis Beville via Texas Longhorns YouTube
Insiders familiar with the negotiations dubbed the Fox predicament the missing piece to a deal. The network, which shares Big 12 broadcasting rights with ESPN, sought substantial financial compensation and/or additional inventory to compensate for their loss.
During recent talks, a trade of inventory – where Fox gains games owned by ESPN – was considered. This could include non-conference games featuring the schools, such as Texas’s games against Michigan and Ohio State. And Oklahoma’s matches against Big 12 schools.
The SEC, the other party involved in the agreement, has been anticipating the arrival of the two schools in 2024 for several weeks. Starting in November, momentum grew towards an agreement between the eight original Big 12 schools and the two soon-to-be SEC powerhouses to part ways before the previously set date of July 2024.
Southeastern Conference Twitter
In a prepared statement, Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark stated, “The conference would only agree to an early withdrawal if it were in our best interest for Oklahoma and Texas to depart before June 30, 2025. 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.”
Texas President Jay Hartzell said, “We have always been committed to fulfilling our contractual obligations to the Big 12. The collegiate athletics landscape has continued to evolve rapidly and working together to accelerate our exit produced benefits for all parties. The Big 12 has been a respected partner for nearly three decades, and we look forward to a final season of spirited competition with our friends and rivals.”
Bijan Robinson via ESPN College Football YouTube
With the conclusion of the negotiations for the departure of Texas and Oklahoma from the Big 12, their focus shifts toward their future in the SEC. Both programs will bring a wealth of talent and a storied football history to the conference, raising the level of competition even higher.
Second-year Head Coach Steve Sarkisian has proven his team can compete. In his debut season, the Longhorns managed to win only five games. However, last season saw an improvement, as Texas won eight regular-season games and was invited to the Valero Alamo Bowl, where they fell to #12 Washington 27-20.
Their most significant outing was against #1 Alabama, which took place at home in Texas and was the location for ESPN’s College GameDay show. Texas proved a formidable opponent for the SEC powerhouse, losing by only one point despite their starting quarterback being forced to leave the game due to injury. With the third-ranked recruiting class in the nation, the Longhorns are poised to be a significant threat in the SEC starting in 2024.
DaShaun White via Texas Longhorns YouTube
Oklahoma struggled despite high expectations for first-year Head Coach Brent Venables and his team, which had only lost two games the previous year. The departure of former Head Coach Lincoln Riley to the University of Southern California, along with quarterback Caleb Williams, proved to be a significant loss.
The Sooners began the season with three consecutive wins but suffered a 41-34 defeat to Kansas State in their fourth game. They secured two wins against top 25 teams, #19 Kansas and #22 Oklahoma State, they ultimately lost in the CHEEZ-IT Bowl to #13 Florida State 35-32. Despite these challenges, Oklahoma managed to secure the fifth-ranked recruiting class.
Oklahoma Sooners take the field via Oklahoma Sooners YouTube
The move to the SEC is an exciting opportunity for Texas and Oklahoma as they look to continue their athletic and academic success in a new conference. The college sports world will watch as these two powerhouse programs transition and compete in the SEC.
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