ToplineAfter signing one of the largest shifts of power and money in college sports history, the University of Texas and University of Oklahoma announced Friday that they had accepted bids to join The Southeastern Conference.Sam Ehlinger #11 from the Texas Longhorns smiles while he runs into the endzone to score a touchdown against the Oklahoma Sooners. This was the second quarter at the 2018 AT&T Red River Showdown at Cotton Bowl, Oct. 6, 2018, in Dallas. (Photo by Ronald Martinez/Getty Images). Getty ImagesThe Key FactsAfter the 2025 expiration of the Big 12 media contracts, Oklahoma and Texas will be competing in the SEC. With 16 teams, the SEC will be the largest conference in NCAA Division I. Texas and Oklahoma will join the conference, bringing more prestige and money to an already highly regarded college sports league. According to Forbes' latest list of College Footballs Most Valuable Teams released in 2019, Texas was ranked second with $147 million per year in average revenue. Oklahoma came in sixth place with $129 million. This means that the SEC will now have nine of the 12 most valued college football programs. They generate more than any other college sport. The Big 12 will be without any member of the 25 most valuable programs. On Friday, both the Oklahoma and Texas Board of Regents unanimously voted to join the SEC.Important QuoteOklahoma President Joseph Harroz Jr. stated that today's board action is undoubtedly one the most important decisions in more than 100 years of athletics.What to WatchIn the early 2010s, major universities had not switched conferences. The SEC acquired programs like Texas A&M, Missouri and Mississippi as part of a major reorganization in college sports. This was when top conferences expanded while smaller conferences were losing prestige. There is speculation that another major realignment in college sports may be possible after the Oklahoma and Texas moves.Important BackgroundThis decision came just 10 days after rumors first surfaced in the Houston Chronicle. It caught the attention of leaders at other Big 12 universities. Since then, action has been swift. Officials from Oklahoma and Texas informed the Big 12 on Monday that they would not renew their media rights contracts after 2025. This marked the first step towards leaving the conference. On Thursday, the SEC chancellors and presidents met and approved the extension of bids for Texas to join.Chief CriticBob Bowlsby, Big 12 commissioner, stated in a statement that "we are disappointed these talks went so far as they did without notice or inclusion of other Big 12 members."Big Number$1.3 billion. According to the Perryman Group, an economic research firm based in Texas, this is how much the remaining Big 12 schools could lose in annual product if the conference collapses.Surprising FactTexas A&M initially opposed the move. Ross Bjork, the athletic director of Texas A&M, stated that he wanted to be the only SEC-team from Texas after reading the Houston Chronicle article. Texas A&M eventually backed the Oklahoma and Texas bids, joining the 13 other SEC universities.Continue readingExclusive: Texas and Oklahoma reach out to SEC regarding joining conference (Houston Chronicle).According to Forbes, Oklahoma and Texas are asking about joining the SEC in a possible monumental college sports shakeup.College Football's Most Valuable Team: The Champion Clemson Tigers Claw into the Top 25 (Forbes).
