As expected, the next expansion domino will officially fall Tuesday afternoon.
Following up on reports that first surfaced over the weekend, Rutgers announced via a press release a short time ago that RU president Robert Barchi and athletic director Tim Pernetti will conduct a press conference at 2 p.m. ET today. Also in attendance? Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany.
The press conference will officially announce Rutgers as the Big Ten’s 14th member, although the time frame for the Scarlet Knights’ move will likely not be known for some time. Big East bylaws call for, along with a $10 million exit fee, a 27-month waiting period. As was the case with West Virginia, Pittsburgh and Syracuse, the timeline for Rutgers joining the Big Ten will likely be expedited by the school paying a higher exit fee.
Maryland, the 13th member of the Big Ten, announced Monday their intention to leave the ACC beginning in 2014.
Both Rutgers and Maryland are expected to join the Leaders division, of the Big Ten, joining geographic rival Penn State as well as Indiana, Ohio State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Illinois, a current member of the Leaders, is expected to shift to the Legends division.
(Photo credit: Rutgers athletics)