ATS Consultants posted on February 15, 2012 10:31
The dominoes continue to fall in college football as the Big East has lost another key member.
West Virginia will join the Big 12 for the 2012 season after a lawsuit settlement was reached with the Big East, the school and league announced Tuesday.
The Big East Conference board of directors voted to end West Virginia's membership, effective June 30. The vote is conditioned upon WVU fulfilling its obligations under an agreement that resolves the lawsuits between both parties.
West Virginia accepted an invitation in October 2011 to join the Big 12, and sued the Big East in its home state to get out of the league without waiting the required 27 months. The Big East filed its own suit in Rhode Island, seeking to hold West Virginia to the waiting period.
WVU already has paid half of the normally required $5 million exit fee to the Big East.
Later on Tuesday, the Big 12 released its football schedule for the upcoming season, which includes West Virginia. The Mountaineers will play their first Big 12 game Sept. 29 at home against Baylor.
The Big East decided to terminate West Virginia's membership because of accusations made in the school's lawsuit, along with the school's willingness to resolve the legal wrangling, including its settlement payment
West Virginia's departure leaves the Big East with seven football schools for 2012.
Syracuse and Pitt announced previously that they were leaving the Big East for the ACC, but have said they were willing to abide by the 27-month waiting period, which means they won't join the ACC until the 2014-15 season.
But the Big East has been proactive, as they added seven members (Boise State, Central Florida, Houston, Memphis, San Diego State, SMU, Navy) to get up to 12 teams by the 2015 season.