It’s amazing the difference a week can make. Last week, we reported on the story that Oklahoma and Texas would NOT be leaving the Big 12 a year early for the SEC and would instead play out their contract through the end of the 2024 season and join in 2025. Fast forward 7 days later…and now the news is that Oklahoma and Texas WILL be leaving the Big 12 one year early and will join the SEC in 2024.
Last night, the Big 12 conference announced that Oklahoma and Texas have agreed in principle to play a total of $100 million to the Big 12 in order to make the jump to the SEC in 2024. The agreement still needs final approval from the OU and Texas governing boards, but both schools are expected to accept and partially offset the cost with future revenues (basically meaning they wouldn’t have to pay that price all at once). Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement, “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. I appreciate the approaches of OU President Joe Harroz and UT President Jay Hartzell to ensure an amicable conclusion to this process, and look forward to the bright days ahead for the Big 12 Conference.” Later this year, the Big 12 conference will add BYU, Central Florida, Cincinnati, and Houston. That means for this one year, the Big 12 will have 14 teams competing before OU and Texas leave the following season.
2024 will be a year of massive changes around all of college sports because not only will OU and Texas be leaving…USC and UCLA will leave the Pac 12 for the Big Ten AND college football will start the 12 team playoff! That’s a lot of change coming for college fans over the next 24 months so buckle up and get ready for the ride!
