Although the Big East and West Virginia have been ordered into non-binding mediation by a Rhode Island judge -- the status conference for that mediation has been set for Feb. 9 -- it doesn’t sound like the two sides are making any headway in the negotiation process.
The Associated Press reports today that a Monongalia County Circuit Court Judge has refused to stay -- or, in layman’s terms, suspend temporarily -- West Virginia’s lawsuit against the Big East while the conference’s countersuit is ongoing in Rhode Island.
Judge Russell Clawges said the stay would not “promote the interest of justice.”
Clawges also denied another request by the Big East to dismiss WVU’s lawsuit. WVU has also had a request to dismiss the Big East’s countersuit denied.
Today was the deadline for the Big 12 to release its schedule for 2012 per its contract with its television partners. The conference has reportedly submitted a schedule, but it likely won’t be made public until some time next week as the Feb. 9 status conference draws close.
Perhaps then the conference future of West Virginia will become clearer.