SEC
SEC has accepted Texas A&M conditionally, but must wait on a Big 12 school to drop its lawsuit. REUTERS

Texas A&M is excited to be offered membership into the SEC but disappointed that a school in the Big 12 is trying to hold it up, according to a statement by the school's president.

We are certainly pleased with the action taken last night by the presidents and chancellors of the Southeastern Conference to unanimously accept Texas A&M as the league's 13th member, Texas A&M president R. Bowen Loftin said in a statement. However, this acceptance is conditional, and we are disappointed in the threats made by one of the Big 12 member institutions to coerce Texas A&M into staying in Big 12 Conference.

These actions go against the commitment that was made by this university and the Big 12 on Sept. 2, he continued. We are working diligently to resolve any and all issues as outlined by the SEC.

Earlier on Wednesday, the SEC announced that it had conditionally accepted Texas A&M as its 13th member, but would not officially accept the school until an unnamed Big 12 school - believed to be Baylor - agreed to not pursue any legal action against the conference.

All Big 12 conference members had previously agreed to not pursue legal action against the SEC if it accepted Texas A&M, but one Big 12 member has gone rogue and is considering pursuing legal action, according to a SEC press release on Wednesday.

We were notified yesterday afternoon that at least one Big 12 institution had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action, SEC chair Dr. Bernie Machen wrote in a statement. The SEC has stated that to consider an institution for membership, there must be no contractual hindrances to its departure.

The conference will wait until all Big 12 schools affirm their commitment to not pursue legal action before officially accepting Texas A&M. If things go according to plan, Texas A&M would join the conference in June 30, 2012.

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