According to the web site OrangeBloods.com, Texas A&M will become members of the Southeastern Conference in three weeks once legal issues are resolved.
The article cites sources including Big 12 commissioner Dan Bebe who believe Sunday’s announcement by University of Florida president Bernie Machen, the chairman of SEC presidents and chancellors, was merely a way for Texas A&M and the Southeastern Conference to address concerns over possible legal ramifications the Aggies may be forced to deal with should they depart the Big 12.
At issue is the new 13-year, $1.1 billion television contract between Fox Sports and the Big 12.
In an article appearing in The Commercial Appeal on Tuesday, former Texas A&M coach Jackie Sherrill told Ron Higgins that the SEC’s attorneys stopped the league from issuing the Aggies an invitation following their meeting on Sunday.
“The attorneys told the SEC presidents that the league can’t extend an invitation unless A&M has told the Big 12 it’s leaving and then has asked the SEC if it can be a member,” Sherrill said.
“There’s possible lawsuits for A&M from the Big 12 and from individual members since the league just signed a TV deal with Fox.”
Sherrill also said that the Aggies are very concerned about the Big 12′s future and aren’t convinced that their situation would be stable if they remain in the conference.
Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin receive permission to make all decisions with regard to conference alignment during a meeting on Monday of the school’s board of regents.
There appears to be an agreement in place that will allow Texas A&M to join the SEC beginning in 2012 after all the legal issues have been addressed.
The delay in extending an invitation to the Aggies also gives the SEC more time to court an 14th member for the conference.
Among the schools being mentioned as possible additions to the SEC include Clemson, Florida State and Virginia Tech.
On Tuesday, Virginia Tech athletics director Jim Weaver told CBSSports.com that the Hokies would “politely decline” an offer to join the SEC. He said Virginia Tech is happy being in the ACC and that is where they belong.
However, some believe that if the SEC came calling Virginia Tech would jump at the chance to join the conference.
The Hokies have become a perennial football power and would be a natural geographical fit for the SEC. Virginia Tech may wait to see if Florida State is extended an invitation, but sources believe that Florida would ever agree to allowing their in-state rivals to become part of the conference.
