Texas and Oklahoma have released joint statements saying they will not renew their grant of rights agreements with the Big 12 once they expire in 2024-25 contract.
This is the first step for the two Big 12 powerhouses to apply for SEC membership. As of right now, we don’t know when or how long that will take.
The Longhorns and Sooners publicly saying that they will remain with the Big 12 through the end of the grant of rights agreement could be more legal gaming on their part. They could, with the help of the SEC, buyout the rest of their contract to make a quicker transition to the Southeastern Conference.
The University of Texas at Austin and The University of Oklahoma notified the Big 12 Athletic Conference today that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights following expiration in 2025. Providing notice to the Big 12 at this point is important in advance of the expiration of the conference’s current media rights agreement. The universities intend to honor their existing grant of rights agreements. However, both universities will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape as they consider how best to position their athletics programs for the future.
The Houston Cornicle reported the news last Wednesday, which came as a shock to the Big 12 and all of college athletics. Many wonder what will be left of the Big 12 conference and how the other Power Five conferences will respond.