OU & Texas Release Joint Statement Announcing Their Intentions Of Leaving The Big 12

It looks like the Big 12 is losing its flagship schools.

OU and the Texas released a joint statement Monday and said:

The University of Oklahoma and The University of Texas at Austin notified the Big 12 Athletic Conference today that they will not be renewing their grants of media rights following expiration in 2025. Providing notice to the Big 12 at this point is important in advance of the expiration of the conference’s current media rights agreement. The universities intend to honor their existing grant of rights agreements. However, both universities will continue to monitor the rapidly evolving collegiate athletics landscape as they consider how best to position their athletics programs for the future.

Reports indicate the University of Oklahoma is expected to join the SEC with the University of Texas to follow suit.

Both intend to in the Big 12 through their media agreements ending in 2025, though the timeline is fluid.

"We reported Wednesday it could be four more seasons before OU actually plays games in Fayetteville and Tuscaloosa, but same sources told me the move could be next season or 2023 if TV & money negotiations wrap up sooner," said News 9 Sports Director Dean Blevins.

Big 12 commissioners reportedly offered more lucrative deals to both universities in a last-ditch effort to keep them in the conference, but it looks like the dye has been cast.

There's an apparent trend to change the Power 5 conferences into a system of 4 mega-conferences of 16 teams each.

OU and UT did not give notice to other Big 12 schools before the news broke last week, and it's leaving a bad taste in OSU's mouth.

OSU President Kayse Shrum said her Cowboys will aggressively pursue better opportunities and she's disappointed in the Sooners' and Longhorns' lack of transparency.

Shrum released the following statement Monday:

Earlier today, OU delivered a document to the Big 12 Conference office which indicated they will not renew their grant of media rights with the Big 12 following the 2024-25 season. This action was strategic, deliberate and results from months of planning with the SEC. These conversations, which developed over a long period, are a clear breach of the Big 12 Conference bylaws and broke the decades-long bond of trust between our universities. It is difficult to understand how an Oklahoma institution of higher education would follow the University of Texas to the detriment of the state of Oklahoma.

Nevertheless, we are looking to the future and what is best for Oklahoma State University. Over the last few days, I have received countless phone calls, texts and emails from high-ranking officials and members of the Cowboy family showing their support for OSU as we navigate the road ahead. Regardless of what comes next, OSU is dedicated to the state of Oklahoma. We remain confident OSU is in the strongest position ever, and I am excited about the future of Oklahoma State University, our land-grant mission, world-class faculty and top-notch athletic programs.