The Oklahoma Sooners and Texas Longhorns didn’t do much to deny reports that the Big 12 powerhouses are pursuing a move to the SEC.
A bombshell report from the Houston Chronicle on Wednesday claimed Texas and Oklahoma have contacted the SEC about joining the conference, leaving behind the Big 12.
It would be easy enough for either program to drop a quick statement denying the rumor. They didn’t do that.
Spokespeople for Texas and Oklahoma danced around a denial instead, releasing nearly identical statements.
“Speculation swirls around collegiate athletics. We will not address rumors or speculation,” a Texas spokesman said per Brian Davis of the Austin American-Statesman.
“The college athletics landscape is shifting constantly. We don’t address every anonymous rumor,” a statement from Oklahoma said, per Guerin Emig of Tulsa World.
Texas and Oklahoma put out non-denials addressing SEC rumors
That’s top drawer paraphrasing right there. It’s also not going to do a thing to pour water on the fire now stirring in Big 12 country.
If the Sooners and Longhorns really were to leave the Big 12, the conference likely couldn’t survive it. The remaining members would have to be picked up by other conferences. It would be a huge deal.
Not denying the rumors won’t give the Oklahoma States and Texas Techs of the world much confidence.
Does that mean the conference realignment, which would include a 16-team superconference in the SEC, will actually happen? Certainly not. The possibility of Texas leaving the Big 12 seems to pop up at least once a decade. However, this one has a hint of believability to it.
George Kliavkoff, the new commissioner of the Pac-12 who started in his new position on July 1, took notice.
Just when I thought my first month on the job could not get more interesting…
— George Kliavkoff (@Kliavkoff) July 21, 2021
Meanwhile, SEC commissioner Greg Sankey shot down inquiries about the rumors by putting the focus elsewhere.
“I’m here to talk about the 2021 season,” he said, according to Brandon Marcello of 247Sports.
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