With each new update, it looks more and more likely that the West Virginia Mountaineers will play football in the Big 12 and not the Big East in 2012.
West Virginia Close To $11M ‘Cash Value’ Settlement With Big East, According To Report
Mike Casazza of the Daily Mail is reporting that West Virginia is the midst of a negotiation to pay a "cash value" settlement of $11 million to complete its exit from the Big East.
Earlier in the day, CBSSports.com’s Brett McMurphy reported that West Virginia was close to a $20M buyout with the Big East, though that may include financial considerations beyond an actual buyout payment.
Casazza says the arrangement may be announced as early as Thursday, the same day the school and Big East are supposed to have a conference with Rhode Island Superior Court Judge Michael Silverstein regarding their mutual legal action.
The addition of a new Big East member to replace West Virginia in 2012 is mentioned as a possible condition of the deal as well. Otherwise, the conference is left with seven football members in 2012, all of whom will have to scramble to replace WVU on their schedule.
For more on the Mountaineers, visit The Smoking Musket. 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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