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Oklahoma State Football

Statements From Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and More on the Houston Chronicle Report

July 21, 2021
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STILLWATER – With the report from the Houston Chronicle and their reporter Brent Zwerneman that both Oklahoma and Texas had approached the Southeastern Conference about joining that league. The news spread like wildfire and our sources said that there was little known among athletic department officials at Oklahoma. Our source at Texas said that Longhorns athletic director Chris Del Conte was caught off guard by the report and that the move may have been initiated at a higher level.

Either way, anytime there is a report on conference realignment people get panicked. It did not take long before the University of Oklahoma had an official response.

"The college athletics landscape is shifting constantly. We don't address every anonymous rumor."

The University of Texas had a similar response.

"Speculation always swirls around collegiate athletics," a Texas spokesman said in a statement. "We will not address rumors or speculation."

Oklahoma State actually had a longer response than the two schools rumored to be involved in it.

Twitter (@GLang1)
Gavin Lang at Oklahoma State.

“We have heard unconfirmed reports that OU and UT approached Southeastern Conference officials about joining the SEC,” came in a statement from Gavin Lang, the director of athletic media relations at Oklahoma State. “We are gathering information and will monitor closely. If true, we would be gravely disappointed.  While we place a premium on history, loyalty and trust, be assured, we will aggressively defend and advance what is best for Oklahoma State and our strong athletic program, which continues to excel in the Big 12 and nationally.”

Thomas Shea-USA TODAY Sports
Oklahoma State and Texas A&M played in the 2019 Texas Bowl.

The most emotional response came from Texas A&M University. Texas A&M left the Big 12 with the idea of getting away from longtime rival the University of Texas.

Texas A&M athletic director Ross Bjork said he and the school will be "diligent in our approach to protect Texas A&M."

"We want to be the only SEC program in the state of Texas," Bjork said. "There's a reason why Texas A&M left the Big 12 -- to be stand-alone, to have our own identity."

Discussion from...

Statements From Oklahoma State, Oklahoma and More on the Houston Chronicle Report

5,633 Views | 5 Replies | Last: 3 yr ago by TeaTownCowboy
CaliforniaCowboy
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6:17p, 7/21/21
okay Poke fans...... true or false?

1) True some donor yahoo at those schools strong-armed some non-athletic school officials (trustees), but any chance of it happening is as remote as Big Rob being appointed OSU Athletic director next year

2) False, some yahoos said something over cocktails and it was totally taken out of context and there is less than zero to the entire rumor


as they say, where there is smoke there is fire, but when there is only rumors of smoke then what do you say?


I'm leaning towards #2 complete nonsense taken out of context.
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danlam
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In reply to CaliforniaCowboy • 9:37p, 7/21/21
I would agree with you about that. If anything happens it doesn't happen until the Grant of Rights expires in 2025. I wouldn't be so sure the SEC wants to expand further. The TV contracts may not be as lucrative when they are renewed. If the number of conferences shrinks so does the competition among TV networks.
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NJAggie
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8:32a, 7/22/21
Tough to tell. Now would be the time to start talking if you were wanting to move in 2025. So that fits. The we don't respond to rumors statements avoid denying anything. So, who knows. I do think that a lot of talk goes on at all levels about these kinds of moves so could have been a few people acting on their own or it could be negotiations opened, and they got caught. I did love the aTm response.

I'd say part of the puzzle would be how the playoff expansion works out. If there is expansion, OU would never consider the move, and UT would be doubtful. Moving from having a near lock on a playoff spot every year to fighting for a slot with 3 to 4 other teams would not make any sense.

If they did move, then the remaining 8 schools would just have to pick up 4 more schools and push for playoff expansion, then we would see our schools getting a shot in the playoffs. Although staying at 8 schools, and then having 5 game non-con schedules could be a good option as well as that would allow you to play a 1A team, 2 G5 teams and 2 P5 teams. Which would make for a lot of ability to build a resume.
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CowboyKip
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10:12a, 7/22/21
If this does happen then the Big12 collapses or joins the mid-majors (we would become like the AAC & MAC). The Big10, PAC12 and the ACC will all try to expand to compete with the SEC. I agree that nothing actually happens until the TV contract runs out in 2025.
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TeaTownCowboy
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6:01p, 7/22/21
Welcome back to the Big 12, A&M! Now that discoTEX is gone, if true, make strong overtures to Nebraska cause B1G is a turrible fit for them and maybe Arkansas might be interested! The people at the top of the Big 12 have been horrible as far as being proactive!
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