In this Nov. 20, 2010, photo, Members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets enter the stadium before an NCAA college football game between Nebraska and Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M always has been in a league with a solid foothold in Texas since joining the Southwest Conference in 1914. The Junction Boys, the 12th Man and the Aggies' military culture are all part of the rich tradition A&M has built while playing in conferences that featured other teams from the Lone Star State. With the Aggies looking to leave the Big 12 and their longtime rivals for the Southeastern Conference, questions abound about what the move would mean for the university and the Texas teams left in its wake. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
In this Nov. 20, 2010, photo, Members of the Texas A&M Corps of Cadets enter the stadium before an NCAA college football game between Nebraska and Texas A&M in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M always has been in a league with a solid foothold in Texas since joining the Southwest Conference in 1914. The Junction Boys, the 12th Man and the Aggies' military culture are all part of the rich tradition A&M has built while playing in conferences that featured other teams from the Lone Star State. With the Aggies looking to leave the Big 12 and their longtime rivals for the Southeastern Conference, questions abound about what the move would mean for the university and the Texas teams left in its wake. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip)
Texas A&M tight end Hudson Prioleau (80) celebrates with quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) after scoring a touchdown during the third quarter of an NCAA college football game against SMU, Sunday, Sept. 4, 2011, in College Station, Texas. A&M beat SMU 46-14. (AP Photo/Dave Einsel)
In this photo taken Nov. 20, 2010, a Texas A&M yell leader leads the crowd in a cheer before an NCAA college football game against Nebraska in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M dealt a blow to the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, saying it plans to leave by July 2012 if it is accepted by the SEC or another league. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
FILE - In this Nov. 20, 2010 file photo, Texas A&M quarterback Ryan Tannehill (17) and Evan Eike (65) celebrate with fans after beating Nebraska 9-6 in an NCAA college football game in College Station, Texas. Texas A&M dealt a blow to the Big 12 Conference on Wednesday, Aug. 31, 2011, saying it plans to leave by July 2012 if it is accepted by the SEC or another league. (AP Photo/David J. Phillip, File)
MONTGOMERY, Ala. (AP) ? The Southeastern Conference announced Wednesday that it will make Texas A&M the 13th team in the league but said the move is on hold because a Big 12 school has threatened legal action if the Aggies leave.
The SEC, which would become the first BCS conference with more than 12 members, said it received "unanimous written assurance" from the Big 12 on Sept. 2 that it was free to accept Texas A&M. The presidents and chancellors met late Tuesday "with the intention of accepting the application of Texas A&M to be the newest member of the SEC. "
Then the deal hit a snag.
"We were notified yesterday afternoon that at least one Big 12 institution had withdrawn its previous consent and was considering legal action," said Florida President Bernie Machen, chairman of the SEC leaders. "The SEC has stated that to consider an institution for membership, there must be no contractual hindrances to its departure. The SEC voted unanimously to accept Texas A&M University as a member upon receiving acceptable reconfirmation that the Big 12 and its members have reaffirmed the letter dated September 2."
It was not immediately known which Big 12 school had raised the legal issues. The Big 12 did not return a message left seeking comment.
In the Sept. 2 letter, released by the SEC, Big 12 Commissioner Dan Beebe told SEC Commissioner Mike Slive that there were no legal hurdles to the SEC accepting Texas A&M, as long as it happened by Thursday afternoon.
"We both agreed it is in the best interests of each of our conferences and our member institutions of higher education to waive any and all legal actions by either conference and its members resulting from admission of Texas A&M into the SEC, as long as such admission is confirmed publicly by September 8, 2011," Beebe wrote.
However, despite the letter, Slive was informed more than once before the SEC vote Tuesday night that "maybe more than one" of the other nine Big 12 members were considering legal options against a possible Texas A&M move, according to a person familiar with the situation.
"(The SEC) thought it was clear and free without any possible issues. That is not what happened," said the person, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the private nature of those discussions.
The Sept. 2 letter was not intended to waive the rights of individual schools to sue and that decisions like that need approval from various boards of regents and other university overseers, the person said.
"That certainly is not going to happen soon. You are not going to get all nine. You might get some," that person told the AP. "Very few, if any, are willing with the uncertainty and instability of the Big 12 at this point to release their claims."
Texas Tech president Guy Bailey in a text message confirmed that the university's board of regents would have to waive the school's right to pursue legal action. He also said Big 12 members were planning a conference call later Wednesday.
Texas A&M officials were disappointed.
"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," 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. ... These actions go against the commitment that was made by this university and the Big 12 on Sept. 2. We are working diligently to resolve any and all issues as outlined by the SEC."
Texas A&M announced last week that it planned to leave the Big 12 by July 2012 if invited to join another league. The Aggies had been unhappy with the creation of the Longhorn Network at rival Texas and have made it clear they want a higher profile and more revenue.
The Aggies' intentions sparked more talk of conference realignment stretching across the country.
The Big 12 has already lost Nebraska (Big Ten) and Colorado (Pac-12). Oklahoma president David Boren said last week that multiple conferences have expressed interest in the Sooners and he expects a decision within a few weeks. Oklahoma State billionaire booster Boone Pickens also said he doesn't think the Big 12 will survive much longer and predicted the Cowboys will eventually join the Pac-12.
It might not be over for the SEC, either, if the league that has won the last five BCS championships in football decides to add a 14th team or even expand to a 16-team superconference. Texas A&M's move would help give the SEC a presence in the major Texas TV markets.
Not to mention a fertile recruiting ground.
"I certainly understand adding a Texas team into the conference," LSU coach Les Miles said Wednesday. "A&M has a great historic following and is a traditional power that certainly brings the interest of Texas."
Plus, he added: "Texas football is great high school football ... The dynamics are significant."
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