How much did Texas pay the Big 12 to join the SEC? Taking a closer look at the Longhorns' transition to Greg Sankey's powerhouse

Texas joined the Southeastern Conference on Monday. The Longhorns agreed to join the conference in 2021 alongside rival Oklahoma and were originally billed to make the move in 2025. However, the two universities negotiated an exit with the Big 12, which required them to pay a large fee.

Here’s a look at how much they paid to get it done.

How much did Texas pay the Big 12 to join the SEC?

Texas paid the Big 12 a staggering sum of $50 million to depart for the SEC in 2024. It is the largest sum ever paid to exit an athletic conference in the history of college sports.

The Longhorns sealed the agreement alongside Oklahoma in February 2023 to join the SEC in 2024, a year earlier than they could have left the conference without any contractual obligation. Both schools agreed to pay a combined exit fee worth $100 million to the Big 12 in the deal.

The Longhorns and the Sooners wanted to join the SEC earlier in a bid to be part of the conference's new media deal with ESPN right from its first year. The fee will be paid through withholding revenue distribution due to both schools.

“As I have consistently stated, the Conference would only agree to an early withdrawal if it was in our best interest for Oklahoma and Texas to depart prior to June 30, 2025,” Commissioner Brett Yormark said in a statement.

“By reaching this agreement, we are now able to accelerate our new beginning as a 12-team league and move forward in earnest with our initiatives and future planning."

The SEC was receptive to the early realignment

After agreeing with the Big 12 to depart a year earlier, Texas and Oklahoma received the necessary support from the SEC. The conference released a statement following the agreement with the Big 12, showcasing its preparation for the impending realignment.

“The Southeastern Conference learned today of the decision by the Big 12 Conference to alter the membership exit date for the University of Oklahoma and the University of Texas,” SEC Commissioner Greg Sankey said in a statement.

“We are continuing our preparation for this membership transition, and we look forward to welcoming the Conference’s new members and moving into our future as a 16-team league.”

The arrival of the two universities has added some layers of competitiveness and marketability to the SEC. The Longhorns and the Sooners have been the two most prominent teams in the Big 12, and they bring that influence to the SEC.