WV to the Big 12

[Thegreatone]

Well, everyone saw this coming (everyone but ralph) and now it is official.

WV leaves Big East and I saw reports it will be as early as July 2012 (in other words- they wont honor the 27 month thing, which is a bit ridiculous anyways). I wonder if Ralph will admit he was wrong on this one.

It is a rule that Pitt and WVU demanded was in place after the last raid. It is meant to give the rest of the Big East proper amount of time to find a replacement. I can't disagree more on it being ridiculous.

Without the rule could you imagine next year? The big east would not be able to function.

They will not be allowed out unless the Big East allows them out. Again, you dont want that type of major lawsuit that you will clearly lose if you WVU or the Big XII.

 

[anbuc88]

It is a rule that Pitt and WVU demanded was in place after the last raid. It is meant to give the rest of the Big East proper amount of time to find a replacement. I can't disagree more on it being ridiculous.

Without the rule could you imagine next year? The big east would not be able to function.

They will not be allowed out unless the Big East allows them out. Again, you dont want that type of major lawsuit that you will clearly lose if you WVU or the Big XII.

The B12 MUST have a 10th team to fulfill their TV contract obligations. Either WVU needs to join the conference next year or Missou will not be allowed to go the SEC until 2013. It appears that WVU has assured them that they will be able to join in 2012, as the B12 press release didn't include Missou in their 2012 projections. If the BE says they are not interested under any circumstances in negotiating a buyout and will keep WVU, Pitt, and SU to its 27 month contractual obligations, then the B12 is in a bind. What's interesting is that Tom Jurich, UL's AD, would not say that UL is committed long term to the BE. There is no question that they expect an invitation to the B12 at some point in the future, and will accept without reservations. I wonder if the B12 isn't given WVU immediately, they will pull the trigger and invite UL and another team (BYU or UC) now, to essentially cripple the BE, ending any chance of expansion. The league from a football standpoint may cease to exist, thus the 27 month waiting period considered moot, and the remaining schools forced to join another conference. I would think that UC, RU, USF, and UConn would not be will to take this chance. The BE may be forced to negotiate a WVU exit if is to survive.

 

[JasonS]

The B12 MUST have a 10th team to fulfill their TV contract obligations. Either WVU needs to join the conference next year or Missou will not be allowed to go the SEC until 2013. It appears that WVU has assured them that they will be able to join in 2012, as the B12 press release didn't include Missou in their 2012 projections. If the BE says they are not interested under any circumstances in negotiating a buyout and will keep WVU, Pitt, and SU to its 27 month contractual obligations, then the B12 is in a bind. What's interesting is that Tom Jurich, UL's AD, would not say that UL is committed long term to the BE. There is no question that they expect an invitation to the B12 at some point in the future, and will accept without reservations. I wonder if the B12 isn't given WVU immediately, they will pull the trigger and invite UL and another team (BYU or UC) now, to essentially cripple the BE, ending any chance of expansion. The league from a football standpoint may cease to exist, thus the 27 month waiting period considered moot, and the remaining schools forced to join another conference. I would think that UC, RU, USF, and UConn would not be will to take this chance. The BE may be forced to negotiate a WVU exit if is to survive.

Here is where it gets tricky. If the Big East lets WVU out, then they have to let out SU and Pitt or face potential lawsuits. I personally think letting WVU out is going to hinge on Boise State. If they agree to come to the Big East next year, then they will let Pitt, WVU, and SU out immediately with an increased buyout in the neighboorhood of $21 Million. If Boise State doesn't join for next year (they have a $21 Million buyout to leave) I have a hard time believing WVU, Pitt or SU will be gone.