Texas A&M going to the SEC by Labor Day? UPDATED
by Redhawk on Aug 9, 2011 2:51 PM CDT
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Internet Rumors abound today, that Texas A&M has worked out a deal with the SEC where they will be joining the SEC starting in 2012 with an announcement as soon as this week, or around Labor Day at the latest. Most of this is coming from the TexAg.com board, which is the A&M Rivals board.
TexAg Writer Billy Liucci tweets:
Facts: Ags still hold SEC invite (always have), SEC will take A&M as 13th team and, IF deal done this month, TAMU would play in SEC in ’12
And Two:
More facts: A&M has not sent a "letter of intent" or "Dear John" letter to Big 12, SEC is not targeting OU or any other B12 schools
The later in response to a rumor that A&M has even notified the Big 12 Conference in writing.
Liucci also says the SEC would most likely add a team from the East such as Clemson or Florida State in 2013.
Why this has some legs:
1) Billy Liucci has had inside info in the past regarding A&M and realignment. He was the one last year putting out the Pac16 deal was falling apart when Chip Brown was saying it was a done deal. He's one of those "insiders" that actually has connections to the inside.
Why this could be just an internet rumor run amoke:
1) the deadline to notifly the Big 12 of them leaving is June 30th (which would be moot if the Big 12 dissolves)
2) there has been no outside verification from any legit source such as a newspaper or a radio, beyond speculation of the rumors. However, there won't be. This isn't the thing that gets done in public.
Where does that leave OU?
Well, the rumor is that OU along with OSU and Tech is heading West to join the Pac-12. There is also rumor that KU (without K-state) is also going.
I have read rumors that OU officials have talked to other conferences and know that this is true, and I don't blame them, it would only be smart business to know what one's options truly are.
This is all coming to a head I think because we finally got to see the contract between Texas and ESPN. That contract throws much of my hopes for the conference out the window. It clearly is a map and a plan to save one school: Texas while throwing the rest of the conference under the bus while blocking or at least limiting the other schools chances to get either their own network, or a Big 12 network.
UPDATE:
From Brent Zwerneman, a Texas A&M beat writer for the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio paper Twitter:
High-ranking A&M official just told me there have been "no precipitating events that have led to today's rumors & speculations" about SEC
High-ranking A&M official also said there will be "no imminent announcement or anything of that matter" concerning the SEC
A&M official was mum on whether something might happen with the SEC at some point, citing Ags' general unhappiness with the Big 12 right now
Update 2: from David Sandhop of Aggie Websider (ever heard of him...me neither)Sounds like the final point to work out is whether Texas A&M will begin play in the SEC in 2012 or 2013
Despite what other media is reporting, my SEC source says that Texas A&M is the only pending Big 12 offer at this time....
UPDATE: August 10: For those wanting a non A&M source, well we finally got it this morning. Personally I find the source a tool and a complete lacky for the University of Texas...which is why when he says it, I'm thinking we now have confirmation:
Chip Brown of Orange Blood (UT's Rival Site) Twitter:
From Tuesday night late:
Another top A&M source says nothing is definite with the SEC. But he adds things could heat up fast if A&M remains dismayed by Texas' LHN.
Then Wednesday Morning:
There's nothing definite about A&M to SEC. But I was told A&M's lawyers are "looking at everything." A&M regents mtg Aug. 22 will be big. part2: What changed? After some early calls, I got a call late last night that A&M regents are seriously studying what move to SEC would look like.
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I definitely see OU & OSU as strong candidates to come to the PAC-12
but I think there would have to be a bunch of arm twisting to get TTU in. I am not the type to insult another school, and I don’t mean to do so here, but TTU is not a good match academically with the PAC-12.
Secondly, OU & OSU go with the PAC’s history of adding two in the same state/region as travel partners. TTU could not really bring anyone with them that could do so. Kansas doesn’t fill that criteria and Cal would never want Baylor in due to the religious affiliation. That would leave a second tier team, such as Houston (I am not sure of their academics though), as the only option, which is highly unlikely.
Stranger things have been known to happen when big money is involved, however.
... the Fighting Wesleyans
Im not so concered
about this, aggs just blowin smoke… as usual. But after reading that contract, im not so sure this conference is long for the CFB world.
I agree on both points
I fully assume we’ll see OU in the Pac 12 now…it’s just a matter of timing…and today seems like a bit of that kid’s game where you whisper in one kid’s ear “I want to leave the Big 12” and at the other end of the chain you get “A&M is going to the SEC by Labor Day”
This sounds like something an Aggie would say:
AP—COLLEGE STATION, TEXAS. Despite swirling rumors about a move to the Southeastern Conference, sources at Texas A&M University confirmed their commitment to staying in College Station, Texas.
“I know people like to talk, but I can’t say it enough times, I guess: Texas A&M is staying put right where it is,” said Texas A&M University President Dr. R. Bowen Loftin in a press conference this afternoon. “We’re happy here. We’re thriving here. And no matter what anyone says, this University is going to remain exactly where it is, anchored to the good earth of College Station, Texas.”
http://www.everydayshouldbesaturday.com/2011/8/9/2353827/texas-a-m-to-stay-in-college-station
Do you think the Pac 12 might take OU & OSU and stop at 14?
At least for the time being?
Would such a move take legislative action?
If so then don’t count on aTm or any other Texas school jumping ship until 2013.
ATX
possibly
but UT officials will get what they want (independence….which I didn’t think they really wanted until I read that LHN contract) and A&M will get theirs…you vote for me…I’ll vote for you…Plus the Gov of Texas Rick Perry is a former yell leader at aTm
There is no way the legislature will go into a special session even for aTm.
Perry is about to announce his presidential candidacy and is more focused on that then calling the legislature back for another special session to deal with aTm whining about its deal with the Big 12. So if legislative action is required then aTm would have to wait until 2013 when the legislature is back in session.
ATX
I just wish the aggies would shut up at this point. Its all speculation & I am tired of their yapping.
They remind me of a bunch of chihauhau’s. Just shut up already, nobody really likes you & you are intolerable.
I would think that A&M moving to the SEC would be big news
If it’s big news and there have been leaks, then why hasn’t any other news source picked up on this story? I can’t find anything concerning the move on any of the SEC SB Nation sites nor on the main SB site. No Yahoo or CBS or USA Today stories. Just wishful Aggie website and a couple of tweet things. I may be wrong, but it doesn’t add up to me.
"Some people are born on third base and go through life thinking they hit a triple." Barry Switzer ( meant, I believe, to describe UT and UT fans )
I think there is smoke
There was a radio interview, where the interviewer, went off on some kid blogger/reporter on the story…didn’t go off on A&M to the SEC…went off on 2012.
Personally it adds up to me that A&M is in talks/negotiations with the SEC. I would assume fairly serious talks….but it might not be any more than exploratory type talks
That LHN contract with ESPN is such a killer, I assume all the schools in the Big 12 are looking to leave. And they should be.
I think any talks of “A&M to the SEC tomorrow” are garbage. It’s probable that A&M is looking at its options past this season. I imagine that OU is doing the same. There are also rumors that Tech is looking to move on after the whole LHN rejection.
The "rumors"
out there now, is that A&M to the SEC is pretty close to being done. They have a Regents meeting Aug 22, and it’s assumed after that A&M will make it official…
The only thing is will they join in 2012…which is doubtful in my mind, or 2013, which is FAR more likely and doable, but means they have 2 lame duck years in the Big 12 Conference.
Now, it’s just a matter of where OU winds up…..I get the feeling it’s about picking the lesser of 2 bad choices for OU. SEC if they take OSU, or the Pac 12..both of which means OU goes from being in the geographic center of a conference to a FAR outlier. AND means they will be in a conference with out either of our 2 main rivals in Nebraska or Texass
Never
never, never, never, trust Texas. Did you anybody in the Big XII actually believe that the LHN was going to be good for your school? It’s called THE LONGHORN NETWORK not the Big XII Network. It was designed to benefit one school and one school only TEXAS. It was the main reason Nebraska left and probably will be the main reason the Big XII will ultimately fail. If not right away it will fail eventually.
I did
I thought they got theirs…and since they are big dog media wise, that makes sense they get theirs first……but we’ll get ours too, if not solo, at least combined and that will be close enough
But after reading that LHN/ESPN contract, it’s easy to see that ESPN wants no part of competing with a Big 12 network, or having one. They want all conference games and all conference teams 3rd tier media rights to run through “the LONGHORN Network” and UT’s coffers.
The Big 12 is a walking corpse.
Maybe the
Big XII should just kick them out??? Conduct Detramental. That would be funny probably can’t legally happen but it would be hilarious. I read through the contract through the link you provided it sounds like the only chance the other schools have is to stick together against Texas. Good luck against them. I will miss playing you guys but I have to say I am glad we left when we did.
Funny thing....
you can’t find a word about this latest A&M talk on ESPN’s website.
Kick them out
I think is an option. I would think they are in breach of a contract somewhere. Usually a cooperative agreement would have clauses such as “for the betterment of all” etc, which they are not doing.
And if I’m reading the point of that ESPN contract…they think UT IS the conference, so kicking them out, would to them be the same as disbanding…they wouldn’t give the remainder a penny.
It seems to me the ATM to SEC thing is inevitable now.
Simply put, they want out and the SEC would benefit from getting into Texas. The question is, which domino falls first after the Ags leave? Texas goes Indy? OU and some others go Pac-16? Mizzou goes SEC or Big 10? The Kansas schools go Big East? I really don’t know. I suspect it will be one or some of the non-UT schools leaving first because I don’t believe any of the reamaining schools want to be in the same conference with Texas anymore. Personally, I could care less if OU ever plays Texas again. Good riddance.
Who moves first is the question
No one seems to want the blame of killing this thing first, but all want out.
UT obviously wants to be an independent (something I thought was bluster until I saw that LHN contract), but they need political cover to make such a move, so they can’t go first..in fact I think they have to go last.
I think A&M will also want the political cover as well…“we had do go…it was breaking apart”
I don’t think KU/KSU to the Big Least happens first, as that makes little sense for them…“hey were leaving for less money, and more travel, but we’ll have a more equal playing field”
So…I think OU and OSU goes first to the Pac 12…at least it will look like it, I’m sure all the schools will have deals done and in hand before anyone announces officially a move.
Hawk, do you know what the KU/KSU situation is?
Are they tied at the hip or do you believe they could go different directions? I’d like for KU to go west with OU, OSU, and TT myself if for no other reason than the Phog.
My understanding is they are just like OU and OSU
they are pretty tied, and pretty committed from both sides to being tied, but if push came to shove, they could split up, but they REALLY wouldn’t want do do that. Both are in separate systems, and it wouldn’t go through the legislature, just both have to be signed off by the Governor
But KU is an AAU school, with a large alumni base, and would be a nice addition to the Pac12 or even the Big 10….but KSU is a worse add in many ways then OSU.
If they can separate, KU has a ton more options…together, they have the Big East (maybe) and the Mtn. West as options.
If you're talking about K-State and KU...
…they are not in separate systems. They are governed by the same Board of Regents.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
by TB on Aug 11, 2011 9:49 AM CDT up reply actions
really?
I thought they were like Oklahoma’s where the land grants and the university have 2 separate BOR, but both with the same head: the Gov.
Why are they tied and committed to being tied?
UF and Fla. State are both state schools and have never been tied as far as conferences go, but they are tied in the sense that they play each other every year and are committed to doing so. So why the tie with conference affiliation for Okie and Okie State and KS and KSU?
Because the legislators who represent their interests...
…will make sure they’re both taken care of. Do you think a legislator who is either a) an alum of one of the schools, or b) otherwise represents one of those school’s interests, is going to do nothing while their school is relegated to SWC-castoff status? Not if they want to be re-elected.
I agree it would be different if the two schools were, and always had been, in different conferences. But in that situation, it’s unlikely that much political wrangling would be necessary, because it’s unlikely that both schools would need a landing place.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
but in Kansas and Oklahoma
the Legislators have very little say…their only power would be funding..and that would cutting off a nose to spite a face. (unless in Kansas the Legislature approves or appoints the Regents…in Oklahoma those are appointed by the Gov.)
Is funding really an empty threat?
Granted, it may be less so now that state legislatures have cut so much funding to state schools, but the purse strings are what they are. And on top of just funding, there is the approval of appropriations for special projects. Look at the history of conference realignments. State legislatures almost always play a prominent role.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
that's the Texas State Legislature
and that’s totally different. Conference realignments go through the legislative bodies down there…also they have FAR more schools and alumni that can group together.
Can Kstate Reps and senators REALLY say, “we are not going to properly fund KU cause they didn’t take Kstate”? We are going to hurt our state and it’s future (remember Kids are our future…or so I’ve been told…but the kids never take over like the Apes in the movies do)
Not to get too political here...
…but would that really be so outrageous in today’s politics? If Texas Tech would have been left out in the cold, they would have lost out on a ton of money (have you seen Houston’s facilities?), and they could at least argue with a straight face that they were going to try and hurt the others as much as they had been hurt. And yes, I realize that athletic conference money goes to the A.D., which is a separate entity, but A.D. money funds scholarships and other things on the academic side of a university.
How do conference realignments go through the Texas legislature in a different way than they would any other legislature? Those schools all have their own boards of regents, so theoretically a school like Texas A&M or Texas or Texas Tech could break away more easily than could a K-State or KU, who are governed by the same board. Under your theory, all they would have to do is decide they wanted to leave, call out the legislators representing competing interests for destroying the future if they threatened budget cuts, and they’d be gone. But it hasn’t worked out like that, and I’m guessing there’s a reason why.
Again, as I mentioned, it doesn’t necessarily have to be cutting funding to the university itself. Appropriations for athletic department projects have to be approved by the state in Kansas, and I’m guessing the same is true in other states, so the threat against those appropriations would be real and presumably less politically sensitive than cutting education funding.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
by TB on Aug 11, 2011 1:54 PM CDT up reply actions
Now, would they ACTUALLY cut budgets a year or two down the road?
That’s anyone’s guess. But the threat has apparently been credible enough that it wasn’t risked.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
by TB on Aug 11, 2011 2:02 PM CDT up reply actions
the difference between Tech and Houston’s facilities is more about the difference being in a BCS conference and in the C-USA.
I’m not sure the details of the Texas Legislature, but I believe they get to vote on major changes…which apparently conference membership is.
the tie in Kansas is they have one BOR….if they separated KU and KSU they would be really hurting one….even though they could really be helping the other.
Precisely my point...
…on Texas Tech’s and Houston’s facilities. Texas Tech gets big money from being in a BCS-AQ conference, while Houston gets peanuts comparatively for being in C-USA. Given that, and given that A.D. money funds things other than athletics, and given that bigtime athletic exposure clearly helps all facets of a university, I would have to think that legislators representing the interests of any university would fight to make sure their school doesn’t get Houston’d.
We'll carry the banner high!
Bring On The Cats
by TB on Aug 11, 2011 2:19 PM CDT up reply actions
I just think that's ridiculous. Maybe true, but ridiculous.
FSU for a long time was independent. Did legislators care if we were in a conference? No. Did we have great years being independent? Yes.
You talk about UT wanting to be independent. So what happens with A&M or Tex. Tech.? I guess UT wants to leave itself out in the cold?
UVA and Va. Tech. were not a package deal. There are just too many examples of state schools being in different places to make this Siamese-twin-joined-at-the-hip mentality seem anything but ridiculous and full of paranoia. The whole thing about voting politicians in or out of office depending on what conference a school plays football in is just nutty. Maybe it’s a midwest state of mind.
OU, OSU, KS, and KSU are all big time schools that won’t have a problem finding a home. Worst case, they end up with a schedule like Boise and are ranked in the top 5 every year.
for Oklahoma
the pres of OSU has a law degree from OU…the OSU vetenary school is named for the OU president. The OU president’s wife has a degree from OSU.
It’s just a commitment to the other school.
What cracks me up is the blogger's contention that A&M has always held an invitation from the SEC
Sure they have. Sure.
QB Garrett Gilbert was the Beavis & Butthead episode of the 2010 college football season. Even when things were going well there was always one bad decision that meant he wasn’t going to score.
http://cfn.scout.com/2/1070636.html
by burntorangehorn on Aug 10, 2011 8:27 PM CDT reply actions
[Vomit]
It certainly looks as though Oklahoma’s Admins screwed this up. Last year they could have forced the Pac-16 deal to happen, and they didn’t. I didn’t understand then, and if this all comes to pass, they’ll probably never be able to give me an explanation I’d find convincing.
Last year, Oklahoma could have simply told Texas that either the Pac-16 was happening or they were joining the SEC. At that point, without a TV deal inked and not really prepared to go independent, Texas would have been virtually forced to endorse the Pac-16 plan and abandon salvaging the BigXII. Clearly the 4 schools with one invite would have done the same (Colorado did it anyway). That would leave only A&M, but once the full weight of the other 5 schools going to the Pac-16 were behind it, it would have been hard for them to say, “No.” They still might have, but by making the Pac-16 happen they preserve longstanding series with Texas and Texas Tech, and, more importantly, they kill the Longhorn Network. In a 16 team league anchored by West Coast TV markets, Texas’ weight is still considerable, but nothing like it was in the SWC or the BigXII. Plus in that scenario, it can be Oklahoma talking to A&M about why the Pac-16 makes sense instead of Texas trying to dictate it to them, which is basically the only reason they don’t want to do it.
Now, I don’t even think the Pac-16 makes sense. A western division of Zona, ASU, Oklahoma, OSU, Tech, Kansas, Colorado, and Utah? Again, [Vomit]. Not saying they won’t do it, but if I’m Larry scott, the Western division doesn’t make sense if Tech is the lone member in Texas. I’d pass.
That likely leaves Oklahoma floundering in an even lesser-BigXII that the other marquee member is actively destroying. The Conference appears to have no future, and i have no reason to have any confidence in its leadership. Oklahoma’s Admins need to get as serious as Nebraska’s were last year. Trying to tie OSU to Oklahoma is only going to kill both schools, which is all the more stupid because the series would do just as well as a non-conference series and OSU would be a big football presence in the Big East, which would have renewed security with a western division including Mizzou, TCU, OSU, Kansas and whomever. Oklahoma is a good fit in the SEC and it’s arguably workable in the B1G, but the SEC would make more sense.
by BigFatScott on Aug 11, 2011 12:41 AM CDT reply actions 2 recs
Excellent post
Easy rec IMO.
"You see we got another championship banner up? It’s not a South Division one, either." Bob Stoops
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I
always thought OU should go to the SEC makes a lot of sense location wise. Unless it is strickly money thing I don’t understand all the love for the Pac-10 or 12. Travel for your fans would suck. But, I think your best bet is to tell Texas to have a good time by themselves no matter what other BCS conference you end up in.
the issue with the SEC is even OU is worried about the recruiting climate. Either way travel is going to suck.
by Redhawk on Aug 11, 2011 3:20 PM CDT up reply actions 1 recs
If we could get a Big 10 invite, that's clearly the ultimate prize.
With the academics and access to markets, it’s just too attractive to pass up…
by SoonerDutch on Aug 11, 2011 10:58 PM CDT up reply actions
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