Big East Expansion: Vote On $10 Million Exit Fee Expected Monday Night

The Big East wagons continue to circle around Boise St., Navy, Air Force, SMU, Houston and UCF. But first things first, they need to do something to ensure these possible new members, as well as concerned current members, that it’s going to be costly for any school that wants to leave the conference in the future.

And so, the Big East Presidents are expected to vote on raising the exit fee from $5 million to $10 million Monday night.

According to the West Virginia Gazette, West Virginia University is expected to vote yes on the measure. That might be surprising, given the fact that the Mountaineers are considered one of the schools most likely to leave the Big East if an opportunity to join the SEC or Big 12 arises.

Rumor has it that Louisville will abstain from the vote. The Cardinals are also hotly-debated as a candidate to leave the conference for the Big 12.

It is believed that if the vote carries, then the conference will be on more stable ground to rebuild and expand.

In order to pass, the proposal must garner votes from 11 of the 14 member schools. Syracuse and Pitt are not taking part in the vote as they will be leaving the conference for the ACC. Both of those schools are locked in to paying the $5 million exit fee.

Of course, raising the fee might still not be enough to convince every possible new member to join. $10 million is a lot of money, but if it’s still hardly a deterrent to a school like West Virginia if the SEC decides to invite them.