Oklahoma And Texas To Join The SEC In July 2025

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Oklahoma and Texas to join the SEC in July 2025 The SEC announced Friday that Oklahoma and Texas will join the conference for all sports beginning July 1, 2025. Vanderbilt will host Missouri this weekend in Nashville. (Hustler Multimedia) Vanderbilt will host Missouri this weekend in Nashville. (Hustler Multimedia) Byline photo of Justin Hershey By Justin Hershey, Sports Editor Jul 30, 2021

The SEC announced Friday that the University of Texas and the University of Oklahoma were accepted as full members of the conference effective July 1, 2025. The announcement comes after the two universities submitted bids to the conference on Tuesday. The presidents and chancellors of all 14 member institutions then voted to extend invitations to the two schools during a meeting on Thursday and both universities’ Boards of Regents officially accepted the invitations on Friday.

“This is an important moment for the long-term future of the Southeastern Conference and our member universities,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a press release. “Oklahoma and Texas are outstanding academic institutions with two strong athletics programs, which will add to the SEC’s national prominence. Their additions will further enhance the already rich academic, athletic and cultural legacies that have been cultivated throughout the years by our existing 14 members. We look forward to the Sooners and Longhorns competing in our Conference starting in the 2025-26 academic year.”

This is the third wave of expansion that the SEC has endured after previously adding Arkansas and South Carolina in 1991 and Missouri and Texas A&M in 2012. Oklahoma and Texas will officially begin competing as SEC teams in all sports during the 2025-26 academic year. Oklahoma will bring over 21 varsity athletic teams while Texas will add 20.

Vanderbilt athletic director Candice Storey Lee took to Twitter after the announcement was made, demonstrating her confidence that this expansion is in Vanderbilt’s best interest.

“As a charter member of the SEC, we have always welcomed and supported strengthening the nation’s greatest conference,” Lee said in a tweet. “This decision further reinforces our university’s commitment to making Vanderbilt home to the nation’s best student-athlete experience.”

As a charter member of the SEC, we have always welcomed and supported strengthening the nation's greatest conference. This decision further reinforces our university's commitment to making Vanderbilt home to the nation's best student-athlete experience.

— Candice Storey Lee (@VandyAD) July 30, 2021

The Commodores will begin competing with the Sooners and Longhorns in 2025 as a part of the expanded SEC.

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View Story Comments 0 Like This Story Share on Facebook Share on X Email this Story Print this Story Leave a comment About the Contributor Justin Hershey Justin Hershey, Former Sports Editor Justin Hershey (’22) was Sports Editor for The Vanderbilt Hustler. He has been on staff since freshman year, previously serving as a Staff Writer, Deputy Sports Editor and Lead Sports Analyst. He majored in human and organizational development with minors in business and economics. In addition to writing, he hosts The Hustler Sports 30 Podcast, enjoys playing golf and is waiting for his hometown Philadelphia 76ers to complete The Process. For tips and comments, feel free to reach out to: [email protected]     More to Discover More about Candice Storey Lee The Huber Center, as photographed on Jan. 24, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Ashley Hofflander) A guide to the 2025 NCAA ‘House’ settlement Candice Storey Lee cheers on at the NCAA Tournament, as photographed on March 20, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Miguel Beristain) Conversations with Candice: NIL, student engagement and VandyUnited updates Vanderbilt students rush the court as Vanderbilt defeats Kentucky, as photographed on Jan. 25, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Alondra Moya) RUTMAN: Candice Storey Lee has brought Vanderbilt sports back to prosperity More about Oklahoma Vanderbilt vs. Georgia Vanderbilt Hustler College Football Playoff Roundtable: Who’s in? Vanderbilt quarterback Ken Seals throws for 319 yards in loss to SEC foe Florida in 2020 season. (Twitter/@VandyFootball) SEC Expansion: Vanderbilt will benefit from league expansion Photo via 247 Sports The Right Fit: How Vanderbilt Football landed DT Derek Green over Oklahoma More about SEC Duke Miles and Jalen Washington close out, as photographed on December 13, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Abbie Bobeck) State of the SEC: Approaching conference play A Vanderbilt player makes a tackle, as photographed on Nov. 8, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Ophelia Lu) SEC Power Rankings Week 12: Shifting tides Sophia Aulisio, a senior from Auburn University pitches her product Protector Innovations at the SEC Student Pitch Competition, as photographed on Oct. 16, 2025. (Hustler Multimedia/Jackson Blunt) Vanderbilt hosts 10th annual SEC Student Pitch Competition

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