Oklahoma Regents Schedule Special Meeting to Discuss Big 12-SEC Move
The University of Oklahoma Board of Regents has scheduled a special meeting for Friday to discuss the school’s decision to leave the Big 12 Conference and join the Southeastern Conference.
The meeting will begin at 2 p.m.
According to a press release issued Wednesday afternoon, the regents will meet to “discuss and consider potential action concerning approval of documents to approve the university’s exit form the Big 12 and admittance to the SEC.”
According to an agenda posted on the regents’ website, the only item is to discuss “potential action” to “memorialize” (OU’s) exit from the Big 12.
The bulk of the meeting will take place in executive session, “where the board’s attorney has determined disclosure will seriously impair the ability of the board to process the claim in the public interest.”
Also Wednesday, it was announced that the University of Texas board of regents will meet Thursday at a regularly scheduled board meeting to discuss “and take appropriate action related to legal issues concerning terms of contracts associated with the UT Austin’s membership in the Southeastern Conference.”
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Oklahoma, Texas officially leaving Big 12 early for SEC
Under consideration is likely the two schools’ early exit fees and any penalties for leaving in 2024, as was announced in February, instead of in 2025, which was originally agreed to under terms of the Big 12’s grant of rights.
The schools are set to begin membership in the SEC on July 1, 2024, but the Big 12 has said the schools will owe a combined $100 million in early withdrawal penalties and fees.
Athletic director Joe Castiglione said at the regularly schedule board meeting in March that OU was looking forward to finishing this year of competition in the Big 12 before embarking on its final year as a Big 12 member.
"I've expressed many times, we're completely respectful about the Big 12 and what we're trying to accomplish," he said. " ... Being a very, very strong member and contributing member in the Big 12 for as long as we're there. We have great respect."
