After many weeks of speculation, the University of Missouri was officially welcomed into the Southeastern Conference via a statement released today by Commissioner Mike Slive.
WRUF TV Channel 6 on the Cox Cable system will have live coverage of the announcement of Missouri’s move to the SEC starting at 5:30pm eastern time today.
In his statement concerning Missouri’s move to the SEC, Slive said “Missouri is an outstanding academic institution with a strong athletic program. We look forward to having the Tigers competing in our league in 2012.”
The Tigers field 20 varsity sports. Yet to be finalized is Missouri’s formal exit from the Big 12 although in Slive’s statement he said he hoped to have the Tigers competing in the SEC by next season.
The Big 12 is trying to secure West Virginia from the Big East to join the league to possibly replace Missouri but there have been complaints filed by both the Big East and West Virginia against each other which could slow down the move by West Virginia to its new league.