With the SEC meeting two weeks ago when the presidents decided not to pursue A&M as an additional member of the conference, it looks more and more like that was just legal cover to prevent a lawsuit down the road where the SEC could be accused of tortious interference for an attempted poaching. Now followed today, when A&M sent a letter to Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe that they wish to explore conference options."Dear Commissioner Beebe:
As you know, the Texas A&M Board of Regents has authorized me to take action relating to Texas A&M University’s ("Texas A&M") conference alignment. While this letter is not a notice of Texas A&M’s withdrawal from the Big 12 Conference (the "Conference"), we are exploring our options. There has been a great deal of speculation and comment in the media about Texas A&M leaving the Conference, including discussions of other institutions joining the Conference.
If Texas A&M withdraws from the Conference, we want to do so in a way that complies with the Bylaws and is supportive of your efforts to seek a new member of the Conference. We would appreciate your conferring with the other member institutions and outlining for us the process to be followed by Texas A&M should it withdraw from the Conference.
We look forward to hearing from you."
Looks like a deal with the SEC is a forgone conclusion at this point. One domino has fallen. The next will be who the SEC decides to poach from the ACC.
So this is it? This is when the SEC decides to blow up collge football? Could we run the total to 16 or more teams? In the words of one blogger, I hope these teams know that our conference is not a boarding house.
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