The Big 12 Conference and network partner ESPN have traded barbs over the last couple of days as it appears the University of Oklahoma and \u2026<\/b>
\nThe Big 12 Conference and network partner ESPN have traded barbs over the last couple of days as it appears the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas at Austin are poised to jet to the SEC. Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby accused the network on Wednesday of trying to \u00ab\u00a0destabilize\u00a0\u00bb the conference and ordered the station to \u00ab\u00a0cease and desist.\u00a0\u00bb ESPN responded by saying there was nothing to cease and said the accusations were made without merit. ESPN released a longer letter to the Big 12 on Thursday, according to The Athletic. \u00ab\u00a0The accusations you have made are entirely without merit. Apart from a single vague allegations that ESPN has been \u2018actively engaged in discussions with at least one other\u2019 unnamed conference, which ESPN disputes, your letter consists of entirely unsubstantiated speculation and legal conclusions. To be clear, ESPN has engaged in no wrongful conduct, and thus, there is nothing to \u2018cease and desist,\u2019 the letter to Bowslby read. \u00ab\u00a0We trust this will put the matter to rest.\u00a0\u00bb Bowlsby told the Associated Press he believes there\u2019s some shady dealing going on behind the scenes. \u00ab\u00a0I have absolute certainty that they [ESPN] have been involved in manipulating other conferences to go after our members,\u00a0\u00bb the told the outlet. He claimed ESPN has \u00ab\u00a0actively engaged in discussions with at least one other conference regarding that conference inducing additional Members of the Big 12 Conference to leave the Big 12 Conference.\u00a0\u00bb ESPN, which owns the SEC Network, signed a $3 billion deal with the SEC last year that would give the network rights to broadcast all of the conference\u2019s football games starting in 2024. The Big 12 shares broadcast rights with ESPN and FOX and that deal is set to expire in 2025. Texas and Oklahoma announced their plans not to renew their media contracts with the Big 12. Such agreements come to an end in 2025. Texas and Oklahoma submitted a request to join the SEC in 2025 on Tuesday. Bowlsby told the Associated Press he suspected ESPN was involved in some way with the Sooners and Longhorns\u2019 departure, but he can\u2019t prove it. \u00ab\u00a0This whole thing has been a complete articulation of deception,\u00a0\u00bb he claimed.<\/p>\n