West Virginia sued its way into the Big 12. Pitt started to do the same in May as the Panthers bolt to the ACC. The Big East, on the short end of both of those lawsuits, decided it would sue sort-of-but-not-really member TCU over money still owed to the league.
Meanwhile, Syracuse has found a way to come to terms with its soon-to-be former conference amicably and quietly.
In a joint release Monday morning, the two sides announced an agreement allowing Syracuse to depart for the ACC on July 1, 2013. As part of the agreement, the Orange will pay the Big East $7.5 million under the old bylaws for exiting the conference. Those terms mandate that departing schools pay $5 million. That amount has since increased to $10 million.
“This closes a chapter and opens a new one filled with exciting possibilities for the Big East’s future. With the recent addition of eight schools to the Big East, the future for the Conference has never been brighter,” said interim Big East commissioner Joe Bailey in a prepared statement.
“We look forward to the new academic and athletic partnerships and the extraordinary competitive opportunities that membership in the ACC offers. We are excited about both our final season in the Big East and our long-term future with the ACC,” added Syracuse athletic director Daryl Gross in his own statement.
Now that the Orange have settled on exit terms, the next logical step would indicate the Panthers will do the same.