ESPN reports that neither the Aggies nor the SEC has asked the remaining nine members of the Big 12 to waive their legal rights to sue. A&M apparently believes the Big 12 will live on, thus no university can claim that the move hurt them financially, the report said.
Texas A&M President R. Bowen Loftin, apparently excited about the proposition of finishing close to the bottom of the standings in the SEC, said in a statement: "We are excited to begin competition in the nation's premier athletic conference."
A news conference is scheduled for this evening in College Station.
Big 12 interim commissioner Chuck Neinas responded with his own statement of disappointment:
"I am personally saddened to see Texas A&M depart from the Big 12 and wish I had the opportunity to visit the campus to sit down and talk with their administration. We will continue to work diligently in securing the long-term stability of the Big 12. Now that the status of Texas A&M has officially been determined, the membership can focus on the desired course for the Conference moving forward. Although no timeline has been established, an expeditious pursuit is anticipated."
Oklahoma State was the first Big 12 member to give Aggie a loss on the way out the door on Saturday.
Chip Brown of Orangebloods.com reported this morning that talk of Missouri being the 14th member of the SEC is still alive. Brown sent this Tweet: "Sources tell Orangebloods.com the #SEC and Missouri are still in contact. B12 won't stabilize until Mizzou states its future plans."
In a conference call over the weekend, Neinas said he believes Missouri will remain in the Big 12, the Columbia Daily Tribune reported.
“What the chancellor told me is he has some curators that are new, and they are interested in discussing some things,” Neinas said. “But I do believe in the end it will be resolved. … I do think that Missouri is going to stay.”
Neinas added that the Big 12 could survive even if Missouri left.
