A Kansas senator has asked the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation to hold a hearing to examine conference realignment's effect on the "state of competitiveness within college athletics," as well as the role of broadcast companies in realignment, The Manhattan (Kan.) Mercury reported on Friday.

In a letter obtained by The Mercury, Sen. Jerry Moran said he was "extremely troubled" by allegations broadcasters have attempted to "incentivize" conference consolidation. His request for a hearing comes in the aftermath of Oklahoma and Texas' decision to leave the Big 12 for the SEC, a move he said is causing "extreme concern" about the future of college sports.

Last month, Big 12 commissioner Bob Bowlsby sent a cease and desist letter to ESPN, alleging the network is colluding with and encouraging at least one other conference to poach their remaining eight members. Multiple sources confirmed to The Athletic that the American Athletic Conference has attempted to engage three to five Big 12 members about potentially joining the conference with ESPN's support.