COLUMBIA (WACH, AP) -- The Southeastern Conference says it has accepted Texas A&M's application to the league, but the move is being held up because a Big 12 school has threatened legal action if the Aggies leave.
The SEC says in a statement released Wednesday that it had already received "unanimous written assurance" from the Big 12 on Sept. 2 that it was free to accept Texas A&M.
The SEC says its presidents approved the invitation to Texas A&M, but Wednesday it received word from the Big 12 that one of its schools had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action.
University of South Carolina President Harris Pastides says he would welcome Texas A&M to the Southeastern Conference as long as there were no entanglements with the Big 12 Conference.
Pastides says he's happy with the SEC's 12-member configuration. But he says if expansion is necessary, the league could not ask for a better fit than Texas A&M.
Pastides says the SEC will monitor the situation regarding Texas A&M's withdrawal from the Big 12. He says if that is completed, he would welcome the Aggies into the SEC.
"The conference has been very careful in its deliberations," explains Dr. Pastides. "As a league, we know that this is not something that will happen until all of the Big 12 universities are in agreement about Texas A&M's withdrawal. It is prudent to wait to ensure that everyone is aligned. At the point that happens, I will join my colleagues in welcoming A&M."
South Carolina and Arkansas were the last teams to join the SEC, beginning football play in 1992.
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(The Associated Press contributed to this report.)
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