Bombshell reports involving a possible SEC expansion shook the college football world on Wednesday.
According to Texas A&M beat writer Brent Zwerneman of the Houston Chronicle, both Oklahoma and Texas have expressed interest in joining the SEC. While conference commissioner Greg Sankey refused to address this potentially game-changing news, reports later on in the day indicated that there is “interest on both sides.”
As the day has gone on, more and more information is being divulged about this potential SEC expansion.
The SEC wasn’t the first to reach out to these two Big 12 programs, according to reports from 247Sports. Instead, it’s believed that the Sooners and Longhorns inquired about the possible conference change a couple months back.
Both Oklahoma and Texas have refused to answer questions about today’s speculation:
“The college athletics landscape is shifting constantly,” Oklahoma officials said in a statement. “We don’t address every anonymous rumor.”
“Speculation swirls around collegiate athletics,” Texas officials said, per Longhorns insider Brian Davis. “We will not address rumors or speculation.”
By written rule, the Sooners and Longhorns would need at least 11 of the SEC’s 14 teams to approve the merger if they want to be added to the conference. But, by the SEC’s unwritten rules, they will likely need unanimous approval.
Texas A&M, who joined the SEC from the Big 12 back in 2012, has already expressed its opposition to the expansion.
A decision on the addition of Oklahoma and Texas could reportedly come sometime in the next few weeks.
The post Report: When Oklahoma, Texas Began Exploring Big 12 Departure appeared first on The Spun.