By Jojo Doria

Birmingham, AL

The Southeastern Conference had voted to accept Texas A&M as the league's 13th member, but the move has been hampered by the potential threat of legal action from the Big 12.

The SEC was forced to hold off an official acceptance of Texas A&M in response to Baylor's reported withdrawal of its agreement not to pursue legal action.

According to the SEC it had received a letter earlier this month, assuring that no member of the Big 12 would prevent a potential move by A&M, but Baylor had apparently withdrawn its previous consent of the Aggies' departure and threatened legal action.

Texas A&M, a founding member of the Big 12, which formed in 1996 after the dissolution of the Southwest Conference and the Big Eight, was hoping to join the SEC for the 2012-13 academic year.

Apart from Baylor, Iowa State, Kansas, Kansas State, Missouri and Texas Tech have also signified intentions not to sign a waiver that the SEC is requiring before officially adding A&M, the Waco Tribune reported.

Texas Tech, however, denied its participation in any potential litigation, according to a USA TODAY report.

The USA TODAY reported that Texas, Oklahoma and Oklahoma State have waived their rights as well to sue the SEC and A&M over the Aggies pending departure.

Meanwhile, the impending reconfiguration of conferences also had another twist with Oklahoma reportedly considering leaving the Big 12 and jump to a new league.

According to the Waco Tribune report, the waivers requested by the SEC would only be signed if Oklahoma confirmed its commitment to the league.

In the event Oklahoma recommits to the league and A&M eventually officially joins the SEC, the Big 12 is expected to bolster its membership with an addition of a member.

 

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Legal Loopholes Hamper Texas A&M's Move to SEC