Here's why A&M joined the SEC... In 2009, UT and the PAC10 started working to create a 16-team super conference. See the quote below:
“In the 11th hour,
after months of telling us they understand the TV rights, they’re trying to pull a fast one on the verge of sealing the deal in the regents meeting,” the source said. “They want a better revenue sharing deal and their own network. Those were points of principle. (The Pac-10) wants to treat everyone fairly.
It’s been that way for months of discussions.” Source:
Texas, OU, OSU staying in Big 12 – The Denver Post
During these months of negotiations, UT negotiated on behalf of A&M without its knowledge or consent. The PAC was not a good fit for A&M and moving to that conference was not in A&M's best interest. UT didn't care. UT believed it knew what was best for A&M. Further, UT believed it could force A&M to join the PAC by threatening to cancel the series.
"But sources say
UT officials have vowed that if A&M turns down its invitation to the Pac-10, breaks away from UT and goes to the SEC, Texas won't schedule the Aggies in anything anytime soon."
Orangebloods - SEC and AM heating up as Beebe tries to save Big 12
That's it. By threatening the entire conference, UT destabilized it. A&M couldn't take the chance that UT would someday make good on its first attempt to destroy the Big 12. A&M might not have any option at that point but to join whatever conference UT wanted even if it wasn't in A&M's interest. A&M had two options... wait and hope it all worked out, or take action to make sure it's best interest was protected. A&M chose the latter. It took an extra year for A&M to get all the ducks in a row, but the die was cast in 2010.
Had UT not tried to kill the Big 12 and force A&M (and four other schools) into the PAC in 2010, A&M would still be in the Big 12 today.
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