Quote:
Originally Posted by General Mike
Yeah, but the problem is the Big East is already going to lose millions when WVU leaves since ESPN will reduce the Big East football contract from 16M to 6M for the last 2 years, and who knows what they'll do with basketball. Maybe a small reduction. It does the Big East no good to let anyone leave early.
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The Big East offered both Pitt and Syracuse a chance to leave immediately at a cost of $21 million. WVU is looking for the same opportunity.
The Big East doesn't want this to actually get into the courtrooms. They'd have to explain how the basketball schools were looking out for the best interest of the football schools by pushing for the addition of Villanova and their 18k seat soccer stadium. They'll have to explain why Notre Dame is leading the expansion search while talking to every conference out there to make sure their non-football sports have a home in case the Big East falls apart. They'll have to explain why the TV deal was turned down which led to the departures of Syracuse and Pitt.
The Big East is in negotiations with WVU on an exit fee. The lawsuits are filed to speed up the process and try to make sure no side has leverage over the other. Everything being said is posturing.
No one at WVU seems to think there's even the slightest chance they're still in the Big East on July 1st.