STATESMAN: ‘HORNS/OU COULD JOIN SEC WITHIN A WEEK

The Austin American-Statesman is reporting the Texas Longhorns and Oklahoma Sooners could announce their move to the SEC as early as next week.

Kirk Bohls is reporting that a Big 12 source says talks between the SEC and the two schools had been ongoing for more than six months, and that longtime UT rival and SEC member Texas A&M was left completely out of the discussions.

However, ESPN reports an unnamed SEC source tells them A&M “was not left out of the conversation.”

Bohls is reporting the move could become official in a matter of weeks.  A high-level administrator said his understanding of the situation mirrors that timeline.

According to ESPN, both Texas and Oklahoma would likely owe the Big 12 upward of $76 million apiece to buy out the remainder of their grant of media rights agreement, which runs until 2025.

The additions of Texas and Oklahoma would make the SEC the first 16-team super conference while simultaneously adding massive brand power.