The Big 12 Responds to Oklahoma and Texas Officially Exiting for the SEC

With Oklahoma and Texas officially breaking up with the Big 12, the conference has put out its “wishing you well” message and promised to get strive for renewed success in the future.

In the Big 12’s statement, shared by WYMT Sports Director John Lowe, the conference announced it officially received confirmation from Oklahoma and Texas regarding their decisions to not extend their grant of rights once the current agreement expire in 2025.

Statement from the Big 12 on Texas and Oklahoma leaving the conference: pic.twitter.com/mOFh8Biijt

— John Lowe (@JohnLoweWYMT) July 26, 2021

Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby expressed disappointment with the decision, after expressing hope of further talks between the conference and Oklahoma and Texas last night, but he said the conference recognizes the rapidly changing college football landscape between now and 2025.

Bowlsby promised to continue to support Big 12 member schools in efforts to, “graduate student-athletes and compete for Big 12 and NCAA championships.” He said the Big 12 will continue to evaluate the changing collegiate landscape and use the next four years to “assess what the landscape will look like in 2025 and beyond.”

The statement ended with Bowlsby saying, “the remaining eight institutions will work together in a collaborative manner to thoughtfully and strategically position the Big 12 Conference for continued success, both athletically and academically, long into the future.”

It appears the Big 12 has accepted the departure of Oklahoma and Texas, but while it intends to remain a united front among the eight remaining schools, it’s clear the conferences’ future is murky. If Oklahoma and Texas can hide six months of discussion with the SEC, anything could happen.

Regardless of the outcome, today begins the long road of change for the Big 12. More will continue to come from the Big 12 and the quest to continue the conference.