Fans and a Texas Lawmaker Weigh in on Rumors about UT & OU Wanting to Leave Big 12 – NBC 5 Dallas-Fort Worth
According to reports, the Big 12’s two powerhouses, the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma, are planning to bid farewell to the Big 12 and join the Southeastern Conference, SEC.
The Houston Chronicle first reported the bomb insights on Wednesday. Since then, the sports world has been seething with speculation.
“It was so shocking, it just came out of nowhere,” said Kevin Sherrington, a sports columnist for the Dallas Morning News. “I wrote in my column today that just last week at the Big 12 meetings I was considering writing a column that said the Big 12 never seemed more stable and how stupid I would look now if I did would have done. “
He said he had spoken to his sources and tried to get answers to all the chatter.
“Well, I spoke to a lot of people yesterday and the feeling is that there are a lot of big financiers out there who would love to go to the SEC, they’re fed up with the Big 12, tired of losing to teams.” Iowa State, if you lose to Alabama or Georgia, it doesn’t look nearly as bad as losing to Iowa State. “
Both UT and OU don’t really say much about the reported rumors.
In a statement, a University of Texas spokesman said, “Speculation always swirls around college athletics. We will not address rumors or speculation.”
OU had a similar reaction, and a university spokesman said, “The track and field landscape at colleges is constantly changing. We don’t address every anonymous rumor.”
“There weren’t any direct disapprovals, people said we won’t comment on speculation or rumors,” Sherrington said.
This wouldn’t be the first time a Lone Star state school has left the Big 12, whose main office is in Irving. In 2012, Texas A&M joined the SEC with the University of Missouri.
Two of the 14 members of the SEC would have to welcome UT and OU to the conference if the rumors prove true.
“I can think of at least one who won’t. Texas A&M won’t vote Texas to join. That’s one of the reasons they left the Big 12 was to get out of Texas. ” said Sherrington. “I would think Missouri might be against it too, and they left the Big 12 too, and one of the reasons they left was Texas, so that’s two, but that’s really all I can think of, me “I can think of no reason why any of the other schools should have anything to do with Texas, a very rich program would do the SEC a lot, even if the SEC has a lot to offer.”
There are also other hurdles such as TV contracts in the millions and other bureaucracy.
The legislature also has something to say about the rumors.
Rep. Jeff Leach, R-Plano, posted on Twitter that he is working on a bill that will require legislative approval for UT to exit the Big 12. He believes such a huge economic decision could have a negative impact on communities and businesses across the state.
The lack of transparency of our flagship institution is wrong. Such a monumental economic and educational decision, affecting the entire state, must not be made in one bubble on forty acres. Working on legislation that requires legal approval for UT to bolt the BIG XII. #txlege
– Jeff Leach (@leachfortexas) July 22, 2021
This is about a lot more than college sports. The impact of UT’s decision on communities and businesses across Texas would be real, significant, and potentially devastating. The Texan legislature is obliged to cooperate on behalf of the Texans affected. https://t.co/j531wnrIWs
– Jeff Leach (@leachfortexas) July 22, 2021
Fan reaction
Fans and former athletes also have their feelings for the headlines.
Chykie Brown, a former UT cornerback who played under Mack Brown, said if this comes true in the end it will be a big deal.
“I have a feeling it would change the game, it would get a lot of attention and the feeling back to UT football,” said Brown. “I’m pretty sure I could speak for other guys who’ve played in the Big 12 before and all the years I’ve talked about the SEC being the best, and I’m pretty sure that other guys would like to have a chance. ” . “
Number 8 Chykie Brown played cornerback for UT from 2006 to 2010.
“The two teams that were always the best in the Big 12, go to another conference like the SEC and show what we’ve had in years, or show off the kind of talent we have in the Big 12. ” said Braun.
“I think these are rumors right now, but I’ve heard they’re pretty believable so I think we as OU fans have to foresee what it’s like in the SEC,” said John Botefuhr, an OU alum, who is on the board of directors of the OU Club of Dallas.
“We are a great institution for football, we are not afraid to play against anyone anywhere and at any conference,” said Botefuhr. “I personally think that joining the SEC is a pretty cool idea because we would be on a huge stage with a lot of media coverage.”
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