SEC could invite A&M today

Football: Texas A&M’s invitation to the Southeastern Conference could come as early as today, according to multiple reports, and the Aggies’ expected acceptance could touch off an unraveling of the Big 12.

Oklahoma continues to drop hints that it is bound for the Pac-12. At his weekly news conference Tuesday, coach Bob Stoops (above) suggested the Sooners might disrupt their annual grudge match with Texas, if the teams find themselves in different conferences.

“I don’t think it’s necessary to keep the OU-Texas game if we do move out of a conference with Texas,” Stoops said. “I know no one wants to hear that, but things change.

If a Pac-12 move happens, expect Oklahoma State to follow the Sooners. It’s been widely reported that Texas could fold its in-house Longhorn Network into the Pac-12’s media structure, and Texas Tech could fill out a Pac-16.

That would leave Missouri, Kansas, Kansas State, Iowa State and Baylor. Baylor took to public relations on Tuesday when the university issued a news release urging Texas schools to stick together.

Kansas City Star

Four Chiefs leave for NHL camps

Hockey: Blake Gal joins three drafted Spokane Chiefs teammates departing for National Hockey League camps this week.

Gal has been invited to join Calgary Flames prospects in the Young Stars tournament in Penticton, B.C.

Brenden Kichton, a fifth-round pick of the New York Islanders, will play in a pair of exhibition games against Boston Bruins rookies.

Dominik Uher (fifth round) and Darren Kramer (sixth) are both going to play in Ottawa’s tournament. Uher and his Pittsburgh teammates face off with Kramer as well as former Chief Jared Cowen when they play the Senators on Sunday.

Dave Trimmer

Cancer fight raises $681,000

Basketball: Mark and Marcy Few’s Coaches vs. Cancer in late August raised $681,000, bringing the event’s 10-year total to more than $5.4 million in the fight against cancer.

“It was a special weekend. The gala brought lots of tears and laughter,” Gonzaga men’s basketball coach Mark Few said. “Marcy and I cannot thank the community enough.”

The 11th annual Coaches vs. Cancer will be held Aug. 24-25.

Jim Meehan