Texas, Oklahoma formally request SEC membership beginning in 2025 after announcing Big 12 departure - CBS Sports

"The University of Texas at Austin and the University of Oklahoma sent the request below to Southeastern Conference Commissioner Greg Sankey this morning," the statement reads.

SEC commissioner Greg Sankey released his own statement acknowledging the letter, but noted officially that the conference has "not proactively sought new members." Still, the transition seems imminent.

"The University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas, two esteemed academic institutions with storied athletics programs, today submitted formal requests for invitations to become members of the Southeastern Conference in 2025," Sankey said

"While the SEC has not proactively sought new members, we will pursue significant change when there is a clear consensus among our members that such actions will further enrich the experiences of our student-athletes and lead to greater academic and athletic achievement across our campuses."

"The Big 12 Conference has learned that the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas have submitted formal requests to the SEC to be considered for membership beginning with the 2025-26 athletic year," he said

Oklahoma and Texas issued a joint statement on Monday announcing they will not renew their grant of rights agreement with the Big 12, which expires in 2025

If Texas and Oklahoma were to leave the Big 12 early -- perhaps as soon as next year -- they each could owe up to $80 million in revenue distribution as a penalty for leaving before the TV rights contract expires.