Although the Southeastern Conference presidents voted unanimously Tuesday to extend an invitation to Texas A&M, Big 12 schools have placed a roadblock between the Aggies and the exit.
ESPN reported that every Big 12 member not named U. Oklahoma has threatened to sue A&M and the SEC if it leaves. The SEC offer to accept A&M was given under the condition that all Big 12 members waive their legal right to sue the University and Conference.
Texas A&M President Bowen Loftin said the move “flies in the face of what makes us Americans.”
“We are being held hostage right now,” Loftin told The Associated Press. “Essentially, we’re being told that you must stay here against your will.”
In a Sept. 2 letter released by the SEC, Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe indicated the Big 12 would not sue if A&M left.
“The Big 12 and its members will not take any legal action for any possible claims against the SEC or its members relating to the departure of Texas A&M University from the Big 12 and the admission of Texas A&M into the SEC,” Beebe wrote.
However, an email sent to the SEC Tuesday — the day the SEC voted to accept A&M — refuted the notion that the individual Big 12 members had actually waived their ability to pursue legal action. Baylor specifically informed the Big 12 that it had not discarded its litigation rights.
“You have notified me that the SEC is willing to accept the application of Texas A&M to become a member of the SEC, provided that the Big 12 member institutions individually waive any legal actions against the SEC for its decision. I recognize that this issue has been raised due to Baylor University’s indication that its governing board has not waived the university’s rights,” Beebe wrote.
Beebe also added that the letter from the Big 12 Board of Directors was “not binding on the individual institutions’ governing boards.” The email said Missouri Chancellor Brady Deaton, who also serves as Big 12 Board chairman, informed Loftin that he needs to seek waivers from each institution individually.
Beebe released a statement later Wednesday that reinforced what was stated in Tuesday’s email. Loftin described the statement as a “violation of trust” in an interview with The Associated Press.
Beebe also said that A&M’s move could negatively impact member institutions’ financial standing, and the move would be in violation of the University’s contractual agreement.
“If the departure of Texas A&M results in significant changes in the Big 12 membership, several institutions may be severely affected after counting on revenue streams from contracts that were approved unanimously by our members, including Texas A&M,” Beebe said. “In some cases, members reasonably relied on such approval to embark on obligations that will cost millions of dollars.”
At time of press, no Big 12 schools other than Oklahoma had indicated that they would rescind threats of legal action against A&M and the SEC.