Big 12 sends ESPN a cease and desist letter, alleging the network is trying to "destabilize" the conference

USA Today

In wake of Texas and Oklahoma announcing they are leaving the Big 12 for the SEC conference, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby accused ESPN of working with another conference to help poach more Big 12 teams. Bowlsby accused ESPN of having been "actively engaged in discussions with at least one other conference regarding that conference inducing additional members of the Big 12 Conference to leave the Big 12 Conference." ESPN, which is already in business with the Big 12, is "intentionally interfering with our business operations by encouraging other conferences to poach the members of the Big 12 and providing incentives to them to do so," said Bowlsby. In a statement, ESPN said "the claims have no merit."