According to CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy, who is rarely ever wrong about these things, West Virginia and the Big East have finally sat down to talk about a buyout in the range of $20M, ending their legal battles and allowed the Mountaineers to leave for the Big 12 in 2012.
Big East, West Virginia Negotiating $20 Million Buyout, According To Report
West Virginia and the Big East Conference are nearing agreement on a settlement worth at least $20 million that would resolve all issues between both parties, college football industry sources told CBSSports.com.
The Mountaineers will join the Big 12 for the 2012-13 school year. However, in a bizarre twist, sources told CBSSports.com that West Virginia officials have contacted future Big East members to see if one could join in 2012 instead of 2013.
The move would cause a massive problem for the Big East in the short-term. It would leave the current conference schools with only six league games as well as the last-minute need to replace West Virginia with what would likely be a game against a lesser opponent (read: lost TV exposure).
Not to mention that it sets a precedent for the Syracuse Orange and Pittsburgh Panthers, who both would love to leave for the ACC before the 2014 season that they're currently scheduled for.
For updates on Big East football, basketball and expansion, visit Big East Coast Bias, and stay tuned to our college conference realignment section.
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