(So, yeah, more math/counting jokes go here.)
John got y’all primed earlier today on Rutgers’ imminent move from the Big East to the Big Ten as the conference’s 14th member, following Maryland’s steps on Monday. This afternoon, the move became official with unanimous approval, though when the Scarlet Knights will make the jump to their new home is yet to be determined. Big East bylaws call for, along with a $10 million exit fee, a 27-month waiting period. However, former members West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse all were able to leave (or will leave in the case of the latter two) before that specified timetable with the price tag of a higher exit fee.
Below are statements on the move:Rutgers President Robert Barchi:
“The Big Ten includes America’s most highly regarded academic institutions, known for both their athletic success and academic achievement. This is exactly the right conference for Rutgers. Our university is one of the nation’s leading research universities and our student-athletes excel in the classroom and on the playing field.
Rutgers Athletic Director Tim Pernetti:
“This is a historic day for Rutgers University. It is an honor to join such a prestigious conference and begin our partnership with the outstanding institutions in the Big Ten. There is no finer conference in the nation that combines top-notch academics and athletics.”
Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany:
“The Big Ten Conference is pleased to announce that Rutgers University will soon join the conference family. The additions of Rutgers and the University of Maryland further expand the Big Ten’s footprint while helping solidify our presence on the East Coast. Both institutions feature a combination of academic and athletic excellence and will prove a great fit for our future.”
Big East commissioner Mike Aresco:
“Although we are disappointed that Rutgers has decided to leave the Big East Conference, we wish them well. They have been a valued member of the Conference for many years. We realize that conference realignment is currently a fact of life in college sports. In the context of this realignment, changes in our membership have been taking place, including important additions. In fact, the Big East has expanded its scope with new members in California, Texas, Florida, Idaho, Tennessee and Pennsylvania. As a result, the Big East has created a unique national football conference that is a factor in the BCS Championship, remains the nation’s strongest basketball conference top to bottom, and is a major force across the full spectrum of men’s and women’s college sports. We remain committed to, and confident in, the continued growth and vitality of the Big East Conference.”
As we noted yesterday, the Big East is still in the open market for a new TV deal. If Boise State and San Diego State are having
Either way, the Big East will continue to be at a disadvantage moving forward even with a TV deal. No media rights payout is going to be high enough to keep any member if another conference (like, say, the Big Ten for example) comes calling. That’s not to say the Big East won’t be better off with a finalized TV deal -- it will -- but the league is simply at the mercy of other conferences.