Skip to content

Texas, Oklahoma ADs say Big 12 exit date remains the same

Brian Bahr / Getty Images Sport / Getty

Oklahoma and Texas' athletic directors said the programs plan to stay in the Big 12 until the 2025 exit date amid talk that the schools could bolt sooner to the SEC.

"Look, I know people are asking a lot of those questions, and it's fair," Oklahoma athletic director Joe Castiglione said Monday, according to ESPN's Dave Wilson. "There's a lot changing around us. If that facilitates a conversation that needs to take place about an earlier departure, then it does."

He continued: "But I have said very consistently, I know my counterpart (Texas AD) Chris Del Conte said the same thing, as have our presidents: that we informed the conference that we would leave after (2025), and we plan on fulfilling our obligations and do the honorable thing."

Del Conte echoed that sentiment in regards to staying in the conference until the July 1, 2025 exit.

"We're in the Big 12. We're going to honor our commitments. Those things are all premature," Del Conte told reporters.

New Big 12 commissioner Brett Yormark stated last week that he would explore a "win-win situation" concerning the programs' exit timeline.

Oklahoma and Texas' involvement in the Big 12 was the talk of the conference's media events. Oklahoma State head coach Mike Gundy said that if it were up to him, he wouldn't allow his rivals into meetings due to their departures.

However, Castiglione assured the programs are aligned with the conference.

"Right now, we're trying to help," Castiglione said, per Wilson. "It may sound a little bit disingenuous, and I don't mean it to sound that way. I'm not naive, but we're trying to do everything we can to be supportive and be a great member in the Big 12 while we're still here."

The SEC will become a 16-team conference once the Longhorns and Sooners officially join.

Daily Newsletter

Get the latest trending sports news daily in your inbox