What happens with week with Missouri’s Board of Curators meeting -- if they do indeed decided to meet on Tuesday; we’ll know tomorrow -- could have a huge affect on the future of the Big East conference as we know it to be right now. Today, Big East officials met, and according to multiple media reports, have unanimously decided to expand to teams who have shown “strong interest” in joining.
Below is a statement released by the conference:
“The presidents voted unanimously to authorize the commissioner to aggressively pursue discussions with a select number of institutions that have indicated a strong interest in joining the Big East Conference. The presidents are also actively considering changes to the conference’s governing bylaws to further solidify the membership.”
Welcome aboard, East Carolina?
It’s been rumored that Navy and Air Force have been in discussions with the Big East to become football-only members, and Mountain West commissioner Craig Thompson has all but confirmed the talks between the Falcons and the Big East. It also appears the conference is not looking toward Central Florida or Houston any time soon -- much to my own dismay and whining.
Whom the Big East “chooses” is one thing; keeping current members in the conference is another issue entirely. As the latter portion of the statement hints, the Big East could very well hike up exit fees and re-address protocol for schools wishing to leave. Both areas proved to be laughable as Pitt and Syracuse waltzed out to the ACC a few weeks ago.
In fact, about the only thing the Big East has in the way of slowing the bleeding is a 27-month waiting period by which Pitt and Syracuse are expected to abide before departing.
Or, as it’s known around JT’s household, the “child leg clamp”.
How current Big East football members address conference bylaw changes will be interesting (that portion of the statement did not claim to be unanimous). UConn and Rutgers have expressed a desire to leave, and WVU has been connected -- accurately or not -- to the Big 12 and the SEC.
If the Big 12 expands, their plans could include one or more of the Big East’s football members. TCU, Louisville and West Virginia have all been thrown around the rumor mill as possible candidates depending on the number. Of course, media reports move much faster than actual realignment; an expansion of any kind by the Big 12 could take months.
And you can almost guarantee the Big East will be on shaky ground the entire time.