Sunday afternoon, the SEC officially and for realsies announced Texas A&M as its 13th member. There had been quite a holdup due to the Big 12's ongoing legal concerns (AKA Baylor's litigiousness), but the maybe-possibly-maybe stability that conference now enjoys meant the Aggies were free to go.
Oklahoma St. Cowboys booster T. Boone Pickens, for one, insisted until the end that A&M could be brought back into the Big 12, but the Aggies have had their hearts set on this one for a long time now, and I don't think anybody besides Mr. Pickens really wanted them to stick around all that badly.
Here's Bernie Machen, chair of the SEC presidents and chancellors:
The Southeastern Conference Presidents and Chancellors are pleased to welcome Texas A&M University to the SEC family. The addition of Texas A&M University as the SEC's 13th member gives our league a prestigious academic institution with a strong athletic tradition and a culture similar to our current institutions.
The SEC now has 13 teams. They've said all along that they're happy to remain at 13 for the long haul. Do not believe them. Well, believe them if you want. I pretty much don't. If Missouri isn't going to cash in the invite they've reportedly acquired, look for West Virginia or Virginia Tech to be the likeliest candidates to join.
Texas A&M will begin SEC play in all sports in 2012. This site has made its feelings clear on the matter.
Head over to SBNation.com for more conference realignment news.