Oklahoma was holding out for a B1G invite. Sure they wanted to come with Texas, but if the B1G invited them and Kansas, they were ours for the taking. Their brass was really enamored with our academic consortiums, and thought the SEC was trash. COVID changed all that.
Texas actually initated contact with Oklahoma after they knew Oklahoma was pi$$ed at the B1G and FOX for how they handled the COVID fiasco, and that ESPN would back the exit. As you say, Texas is exponentially more profitable to ESPN as a member of the SEC than they are as a member of the Big 12 with ESPN's funded LHN.
If they announce now that they are leaving in 2025, the GOR shouldn't be an issue. However, everyone involved on the Texas/Oklahoma/ESPN side is hoping that the other 8 rats will get scared and run to the hills to all secure their spots elsewhere, and the Conference will dissolve on its own. Then, both schools could start SEC play as early as 2023.
That has already started with Kansas and Iowa State initiating contact with the B1G (per Kansas sources), and the rest of the rats, minus West Virginia, contacting the PAC. We have already told Iowa State that no invitation will be extended at this time, but we are talking to Kansas.