Big 12 Board of Directors, Minus Texas A&M, Reaffirm Committments Made to the Big 12 Conference

The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors on Saturday night released the following statement concerning Texas A&M University and the future of the Big 12 Conference:

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August 13, 2011

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

REPORT FROM BIG 12 CONFERENCE BOARD OF DIRECTORS

IRVING, TX -- The Big 12 Conference Board of Directors conducted a teleconference meeting today to discuss the future of the Conference given recent developments regarding Texas A&M University. The Board strongly conveyed to Texas A&M its unanimous desire that it remain a Big 12 member, and acknowledged its value to the Conference. The Board noted that Texas A&M expressed concerns about institutional networks and that the athletics directors worked together and took actions, which the Board has approved, to adequately address those concerns.

The other nine members reaffirmed their long term, unconditional and unequivocal commitments made to each other and the Conference last summer. Although the Board hopes Texas A&M remains in the Conference, the Board is prepared to aggressively move forward to explore expansion opportunities. In doing so, the Board recognizes the strength of the Big 12 Conference national brand and the opportunity to capitalize on it.