SEC Expansion: Mike Slive speaks on conference realignment, Texas A&M and 13 members

The official SEC website published this statement from SEC Commissioner Mike Slive on the issue of conference expansion. Slive made these statements during a speaking engagement, according to the SEC. The SEC is looking at scheduling for 13 teams during 2012-2013. Here is the official comments from the SEC:

“In the 78 year history of the SEC, the conference had accepted the membership applications of only two institutions—Arkansas and South Carolina. Texas A&M is now the third. We remain optimistic that Texas A&M will be a member of the SEC and have started to look at schedules for 2012-13 involving thirteen teams.

“As I said over the past year or so, the SEC has had no particular interest in expansion. We were, and are, happy with twelve teams. If Texas A&M’s President, Dr. Bowen Loftin had not called me in late July, we had no plans to explore adding an institution.

“However, when President Loftin called we became interested. Texas A&M is an outstanding academic institution with an exceptional athletic program, passionate fans and wonderful traditions. While the SEC wasn’t thinking about expansion, it was impossible not to be interested in Texas A&M. As you can see from the unanimous vote of our twelve Presidents/Chancellors, we would very much like to have Texas A&M as a member of our conference.

“When Texas A&M joins our conference, we don’t have immediate plans for a 14th member. We aren’t thinking in terms of numbers. We think about the strength of the SEC and the attractiveness of Texas A&M as an institution.” (Source)