REACTION: What Oklahoma, Texas Departure Means

Oklahoma and Texas are officially on the move to the SEC after the 2023 season; what does it mean going forward?

The Big 12 and SEC have traded power blows over the Texas and Oklahoma saga over the past few weeks. The Red River rivals announced their intention to move to the SEC in the summer of 2021, with a target date to move after the 2023 season.

However, the Big 12 issued a statement earlier that they would force Oklahoma and Texas to carry out their contractual obligation and play through the 2024 season. This shocked many, and Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark said negotiations between the two sides are ongoing.

The SEC has a saying, "it just means more." They will do anything to ensure competitive athletics and impressive revenue splits, evident by their recent statement.

"The Southeastern Conference learned today of the decision by the Big 12 Conference to alter the membership exit date for the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas. We are continuing our preparation for this membership transition, and we look forward to welcoming the conference's new members and moving into our future as a 16-team league. The presidents and chancellors of the SEC previously voted with unanimous approval to accept the application of Oklahoma and Texas to join the conference on July 1, 2025 and have now authorized the conference office to proceed with facilitating the transition of Oklahoma and Texas to become full members of the Southeastern Conference on July 1, 2024.

The Big 12 has yet to issue a statement in response. While there are many moving factors here, the SEC has sent an unspoken message; figure out how to get Oklahoma and Texas to us. The conference realignment era has begun, and the scales are tipped in the SEC's favor.

Meanwhile, the Big 12 plans to add several G5 powerhouses to the conference in the coming years. Conference relationships will be critical moving forward, and the two sides appear to be locked in a standoff.

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