SIR: BE open to negotiations with Pitt and Cuse

[RhodyHokie]

According to Providence newspaper ...



Big East open to talk Pitt, Syracuse leaving early
Comments 2 | Recommend 0
February 14, 2012 1:57 pm
By Corey Bourassa

Big East Commissioner John Marinatto says his league "might be open to a discussion" about allowing Syracuse and Pittsburgh to join the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2013 football season.

The Big East reached a settlement with West Virginia on Monday that allows the school to become a member of the Big 12 in 2012.

The agreement upholds the Big East's bylaws, which require a departing school to give 27 months' notification before leaving. West Virginia challenged that in a lawsuit.

Syracuse, Pitt and the ACC have said they would not challenge the Big East's rules, but would like the transition to happen as soon as possible.

Marinatto has previously said that the Big East intended to hold all three schools in the conference until 2014.

--Associated Press

http://news.providencejournal.com/sp...ing-early.html

[Old Line Hokie]

According to Providence newspaper ...



Big East open to talk Pitt, Syracuse leaving early
Comments 2 | Recommend 0
February 14, 2012 1:57 pm
By Corey Bourassa

Big East Commissioner John Marinatto says his league "might be open to a discussion" about allowing Syracuse and Pittsburgh to join the Atlantic Coast Conference for the 2013 football season.

The Big East reached a settlement with West Virginia on Monday that allows the school to become a member of the Big 12 in 2012.

The agreement upholds the Big East's bylaws, which require a departing school to give 27 months' notification before leaving. West Virginia challenged that in a lawsuit.

Syracuse, Pitt and the ACC have said they would not challenge the Big East's rules, but would like the transition to happen as soon as possible.

Marinatto has previously said that the Big East intended to hold all three schools in the conference until 2014.

--Associated Press

http://news.providencejournal.com/sp...ing-early.html

It seems like Pitt and Syracuse would have chance to win a court battle if they were told to stay in the BE until 2013-2014 since both schools had no say in who the new incoming members would be. The new BEFC is not the conference Pitt and Cuse signed up for. Right now, Pitt and Cuse look like they'll stay put in the BE though the 2012-13 year, but things could get messy after that. There's even speculation that Boise State could replace WVU in the BEFC as soon as this summer. I'm thinking Marinatto will allow Pitt and Syracuse the chance to join the ACC for the 2013-14 year. Of course, Marinatto will demand an additional exit fee. I believe that the BEFC doesn't care if Pitt and Cuse leave after July 2013, they just want to get more money out of them before they leave.

[Late 80s Hokie]

Of course, Marinatto will demand an additional exit fee. I believe that the BEFC doesn't care if Pitt and Cuse leave after July 2013, they just want to get more money out of them before they leave.

This. Just looking for some more cash from them. And good point about Pitt and SU having a case since they had no say in the new members.

[BUGGZY]

This. Just looking for some more cash from them. And good point about Pitt and SU having a case since they had no say in the new members.

i predict they get out with no additional penalty than they would have paid in 2014. the BEFC doesn't want to operate with 13 football teams in 2013 anymore than Pitt and 'Cuse want to be in that league in 2013...

Current 2013 BEFC lineup (assuming no divisions until Navy joins in 2015):
UConn
Rutgers
Cincy
L'Ville
USF
+Houston
+SMU
+UCF
+Memphis
+Boise St (Football Only)
+SDSU (Football Only)
Providence
Seton Hall
St Johns
Villanova
Georgetown
DePaul
Marquette
Notre Dame (no football)

that's 11 football programs and 17 bball programs. With Pitt and 'Cuse, that would be 13 football and 19 bball. that's just 2 more mouths to feed with no additional TV revenue coming in. they will be in the ACC in 2013, no doubt. Navy is joining for football only in 2015 to get them to 12 football programs with SDSU, Boise St, Houston, SMU, Memphis and L'ville likely making up the western division.

this all assumes the Big12 hasn't invited 2 out of Cincy, L'Ville, and Boise St by then which i DO think will happen (i'm thinking L'ville and Cincy to anchor the Ohio Valley with WVU while putting a Big12 school in both a B1G and an SEC state...do you think Texas and Oklahoma would mind encroaching on that turf every couple years?). if that happens, does Navy bail? do Boise St, SDSU and the 2 Texas schools run back to the MWC/CUSA? does the WAC somehow end up with BSU and SDSU football and then poach the best of the west from the MWC/CUSA/BigEast? who knows, but i still think only 1 of those conferences can continue to compete, it's just a matter of which one at this point.

[gern]

Conversely, can Pitt/Syr claim damages from BE for not fielding a competent conference?

Lost: Miami, VT, BC, WVU, Pitt, Syr, TCU (sort of)
Gain: Cincy, UofL, UConn, USF, UCF, Houston, San Diego St, Boise, and Navy

Basically, there are *NO* teams left from the original BE FB conf aside from SUNJ who isn't exactly a national brand in any sense of the word. BE is now equivalent to CUSA.

[hokiedokie1]

Conversely, can Pitt/Syr claim damages from BE for not fielding a competent conference?

Lost: Miami, VT, BC, WVU, Pitt, Syr, TCU (sort of)

Don't forget that the BE kicked Temple out! Everybody forgets poor Temple...

[BUGGZY]

Conversely, can Pitt/Syr claim damages from BE for not fielding a competent conference?

Lost: Miami, VT, BC, WVU, Pitt, Syr, TCU (sort of)
Gain: Cincy, UofL, UConn, USF, UCF, Houston, San Diego St, Boise, and Navy

Basically, there are *NO* teams left from the original BE FB conf aside from SUNJ who isn't exactly a national brand in any sense of the word. BE is now equivalent to CUSA.

i doubt there are any legal actions. BigEast gets rid of 2 extra mouths to feed when all the new members come in 2013, and Pitt and Cuse get out of the 27 month rule 1 academic year early without penalty. they will pay the contractual $5MM each and everyone moves on.

[gern]

you're using logic. that's never helped anyone.

[BUGGZY]

you're using logic. that's never helped anyone.

who? me?

[Hokie'79]

I think BE will still negotiate a buy out for pitt & cuse; otherwise they set a precedent for the remaining members on buy outs and leaving quickly.