Smoka
08-13-2011, 07:54 PM
COLLEGE STATION, Texas
Texas A&M will leave the Big 12 to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC), ESPN reported Saturday, quoting a "high ranking source" from the Aggies.
The source said Clemson, Florida State and Missouri were also "likely to join."
Texas A&M had already moved forward a Board of Regents meeting to Monday afternoon to discuss "conference alignment," heightening anticipation at the move, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The session was brought forward from Aug. 22 after the Texas House Committee on Higher Education announced a Tuesday hearing to discuss possible college conference realignments within the state. Big 12, SEC and Texas A&M officials were all invited to the committee hearing.
An A&M official, meanwhile, told the Chronicle on Friday night that it was hoped the Aggies could join the SEC in 2012. A Big 12 school official claimed that SEC school leaders were also meeting this weekend to approve the arrival of A&M.
An A&M official was quoted by the newspaper as saying that Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe told A&M the conference would still function without it, amid claims Houston could be in line to replace the Aggies. A Big 12 spokesman later denied the claim.
The speculation of Texas A&M's jump from the Big 12 gained steam Wednesday when Texas governor Rick Perry confirmed that "conversations" between the school and the SEC were taking place.
Florida State officials were also reported to be in serious discussions with the conference. A source told The Palm Beach Post that the Seminoles were in talks with the SEC during the past several months, but discussions recently became more serious.
Texas A&M's discussions with the SEC are believed to be motivated by the University of Texas' (UT) agreement with ESPN to launch the Longhorn Network, which will generate $300 million in revenue for the university over the next 20 years.
The NCAA ruled Thursday that the Longhorn Network would not be able to air 18 high school football games after other Big 12 schools protested that the broadcasts would give Texas an obvious recruiting advantage.
UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds told the Chronicle that the reports on the likely departure of its close rival from the Big 12 sparked discussions within the conference, but he added he had no inside knowledge.
"All we know is what we read and hear in the media," he said. "We are actively looking at every possible option we have and have been talking to other Big 12 schools. We are strong supporters and members of the Big 12. We'd be disappointed if Texas A&M leaves, but if they do, we wish them well."
Texas A&M will leave the Big 12 to join the Southeastern Conference (SEC), ESPN reported Saturday, quoting a "high ranking source" from the Aggies.
The source said Clemson, Florida State and Missouri were also "likely to join."
Texas A&M had already moved forward a Board of Regents meeting to Monday afternoon to discuss "conference alignment," heightening anticipation at the move, the Houston Chronicle reported.
The session was brought forward from Aug. 22 after the Texas House Committee on Higher Education announced a Tuesday hearing to discuss possible college conference realignments within the state. Big 12, SEC and Texas A&M officials were all invited to the committee hearing.
An A&M official, meanwhile, told the Chronicle on Friday night that it was hoped the Aggies could join the SEC in 2012. A Big 12 school official claimed that SEC school leaders were also meeting this weekend to approve the arrival of A&M.
An A&M official was quoted by the newspaper as saying that Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe told A&M the conference would still function without it, amid claims Houston could be in line to replace the Aggies. A Big 12 spokesman later denied the claim.
The speculation of Texas A&M's jump from the Big 12 gained steam Wednesday when Texas governor Rick Perry confirmed that "conversations" between the school and the SEC were taking place.
Florida State officials were also reported to be in serious discussions with the conference. A source told The Palm Beach Post that the Seminoles were in talks with the SEC during the past several months, but discussions recently became more serious.
Texas A&M's discussions with the SEC are believed to be motivated by the University of Texas' (UT) agreement with ESPN to launch the Longhorn Network, which will generate $300 million in revenue for the university over the next 20 years.
The NCAA ruled Thursday that the Longhorn Network would not be able to air 18 high school football games after other Big 12 schools protested that the broadcasts would give Texas an obvious recruiting advantage.
UT athletic director DeLoss Dodds told the Chronicle that the reports on the likely departure of its close rival from the Big 12 sparked discussions within the conference, but he added he had no inside knowledge.
"All we know is what we read and hear in the media," he said. "We are actively looking at every possible option we have and have been talking to other Big 12 schools. We are strong supporters and members of the Big 12. We'd be disappointed if Texas A&M leaves, but if they do, we wish them well."