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The Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners were relative non-factors in the Big 12 in 2022.
But make no mistake, the Horns and Sooners are the straw that stirs the drink when it comes to the historic conference
Which is why it was such a devastating move when it was announced in 2021 that the two longtime rivals planned to bolt for the SEC.
Since that point, the two teams have worked diligently to accelerate the move. There was belief, as of December, that a move could happen as soon as 2024.
“There is “growing sentiment” and “momentum” for Oklahoma and Texas to leave the Big 12 a year early and join the SEC in 2024, industry sources told Action Network,” Brett McMurphy reported at the time.
Texas And Oklahoma Stuck In Current Big 12 Contract As SEC Move Stalls
But now that’s no longer the case. ESPN’s Pete Thamel reports the two blue bloods appear to be stuck in the Big 12 until 2025.
The negotiations for Oklahoma and Texas to leave the Big 12 a year early and join the SEC in 2024 have stalled and a deal is not expected to come to fruition, sources told ESPN on Friday morning.
After weeks of negotiations, Texas and Oklahoma are still slated to join the SEC in 2025. Sources said the parties couldn’t come to terms amid a complex negotiation involving two schools, two networks (ESPN and Fox) and the Big 12.
Thamel continued by stating that the talks likely stalled over the value of remaining television contracts.
Sources said the sides couldn’t agree on how to create equitable value for what Fox would lose in 2024 — the equivalent of seven football games featuring Oklahoma and Texas that command premium advertising.
The negotiations heated up over the past few days, with the Big 12 meetings late this week doubling as an unofficial deadline to get a deal done.
The news won’t please Sooners and Longhorns administrators. The teams stand to make a hefty payday from their SEC switch. But given how both teams looked on the field in 2022, maybe it’s best to stay put for a little while longer.