Texas Senate committee discusses economic impact of UT leaving Big 12

A Texas Senate committee has held its first meeting to look at the economic impact of the University of Texas moving to the SEC from the Big 12.

AUSTIN, Texas - News of the University of Texas moving to the Southeastern Conference continues to be the talk of the state, this time at the legislative level.

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick appointed a committee during this legislative session to look at the economic impact UT playing in another conference would have.

"As much as the economic impact is going to happen it's going to happen," state Sen. Charles Perry (R-Lubbock) said. "It's real, it sounds like the ship may have sailed or flagship may have sailed and moved on but in that there is a process I think all of us on this panel can agree at a minimum it wasn't transparent if not almost under the table and a way we would not expect from our university system."

Texas committee studying impact of Longhorns’ Big 12 exit

The goal is to study the effect of UT’s decision to leave the Big 12 on communities and schools -- specifically schools that remain in the conference.

On Friday, the Universities of Texas and Oklahoma both officially accepted an invitation to join the SEC effective in 2025—meaning they'll be out of the Big 12.

"I don't know why we have to assume it's something negative," state Sen. John Whitmire (D-Houston) said. "There may be an entity or realignment that would allow these communities to continue to flourish."

Retired economics professor Bernard Weinstein was called on by the committee to discuss the move. "I don't believe losing UT and OU to the SEC spells doom and gloom for big-time collegiate athletics in Texas and I don't necessarily mean the demise of the Big 12. What matters is what comes next."

Weinstein suggested the Big 12 could expand its fanbase in other parts of Texas and noted that the two major metro areas of Houston and Dallas do not have college representation in any major conference.

Later during the committee hearing, representatives from the Big 12 spoke out against UT and OU's decision to leave and how it will impact the other schools in the conference.

UT officials say Longhorns’ Big 12 exit was well thought out decision

University of Texas officials say this was a well-thought-out decision, despite it coming about rather quickly. John Krinjak spoke with UT President Jay Hartzell to learn more.

"The two that are leaving have done so without notifying us and with no accounting for their reasons," Big 12 Commissioner Bob Bowlsby said. "If the inclusion of OU and UT in the SEC is intended to disrupt collegiate athletics, it will certainly accomplish that."

When word was first going around about UT leaving the Big 12, bills were filed in both the Texas House and Senate which would require universities to get legislative approval in order to move conferences. With it being a special session, these bills cannot get passed as they are not on the governor's call sheet and even if they were, with the House not in quorum, discussion of the bills at the House level cannot take place.

___
MORE HEADLINES:
This Week in Texas Politics: COVID, Opal Lee and Longhorns in the SEC
Texas A&M System Board of Regents votes to support SEC expansion
University of Texas issues statement signaling intent to leave Big 12
SEC votes 14-0 to invite Texas, Oklahoma to join conference
___
DOWNLOAD: FOX 7 AUSTIN NEWS APP
SUBSCRIBE: Daily Newsletter | YouTube
FOLLOW: Facebook | Instagram | Twitter