Split by non-FBS schools 2010–13 Big East Conference realignment

on december 10, veteran sportswriter mark blaudschun posted on blog, jersey guy, big east s 7 remaining non-fbs schools, catholic institutions—depaul, georgetown, marquette, providence, st. john s, seton hall, , villanova—had met previous day commissioner mike aresco discuss concerns future of conference. story picked multiple national media outlets, including espn, cbs sports, , sporting news. according several sources, first meeting among group of schools, , blaudschun s original report indicated meeting agenda included potential split non-fbs schools.

the meeting came days after cbs sports reported new big east tv deal, negotiation, worth little $60 million per year—significantly less $100 million conference thought receive. development significant because several incoming big east schools had negotiated deals regarding conference withdrawal linked new tv contract. example, houston exit big east without penalty if tv revenue numbers not met, , boise state s buyout fee reduced if total revenue new deal dropped 25%, or if less 70% of new contract went football schools. basketball-first schools concerned addition of several new schools without strong histories in sport. according espn, 1 source big east football member indicated basketball schools not thrilled tulane , league s rpi , , have fallen off ledge if have added east carolina full member , have done basketball league.

under normal circumstances, exit non-fbs schools have forced them pay exit fees, denied them use of big east brand, , forced them forego money due them exit fees of departing members , other members ncaa basketball tournament appearances. however, big east bylaws stated conference dissolved two-thirds vote of all-sports members. announcement of louisville s future departure acc meant 3 all-sports members football left in conference—connecticut, cincinnati, , south florida. have apparently given basketball-first schools power dissolve big east before 5 new all-sports members entered on july 1, 2013. in turn mean no exit fees due. 1 wild card in scenario role of temple, joined football in 2012 , 1 of 5 incoming all-sports members. @ time of initial reports, not whether temple had vote on membership matters, although had voting rights on football issues. if temple had membership vote, seen use vote prevent dissolution of big east. later reports varied temple s actual voting rights. espn report on december 11 indicated temple athletic director bill bradshaw had told philadelphia inquirer school had full voting rights despite not yet being all-sports member, seemingly taking option of dissolution off table. however, espn told other sources following day temple had voting rights, not vote on dissolution of league. finally, discovered despite non-fbs schools having necessary majority, dissolution required votes of @ least 2 fbs schools, , 3 fbs schools voting rights wanted keep league intact. nonetheless, december 14, exit of basketball-first schools seen certain, though numerous details had worked out.

the main issues in split money-related. significantly, had determined group received major assets belonging pre-split conference—such big east name, contract conference tournament @ madison square garden, , exit fees schools left conference.

conference bylaws allowed mass departure without exit fee, if conference s 27-month notice period honored. earlier exit have required form of compensation. if 7 departing schools formed new league, keep automatic bid ncaa men s basketball tournament (and women s tournament); ncaa rules state group of 7 or more schools has been in same conference @ least 5 years keep bid if remain in new league. fbs schools have petition ncaa keep automatic bid, ncaa executive indicated such petition approved.

many urban private schools prominent basketball programs , without fbs football teams seen potential expansion targets new basketball-first league. media speculation focused on 4 a10 members fit profile: butler, dayton, richmond , xavier. 2 other schools in category, a10 member saint louis , missouri valley conference member creighton, seen candidates, if new conference wanted expand 12 members. 2 west coast conference members, gonzaga , saint mary s, seen possible candidates despite major geographic challenges; gonzaga athletic director mike roth expressed interest in new league. 2 public schools otherwise fit profile of these institutions, george mason of caa , vcu of a10, seen potential less targets.

on december 15, 7 schools, media dub catholic 7 , announced had voted unanimously leave big east conference, effective june 30, 2015. reported catholic 7 , leaving, looking @ lucrative television deal. these non-football teams reportedly had initial high offer fox , new sports channel, fox sports 1, of more $500 million 12 years. deal allow each of 7 former big east members split rights evenly, earning around $5 million each, , split rest future teams. considered additional members have been content share leftover after catholic 7 received initial cut, no school on list of potential additions making more $400,000 annually media rights. core group received interest nbc , espn.

on march 7, 2013, big east reached agreement catholic 7 allow departure june 30, 2013. part of agreement, catholic 7 purchased big east name , retain rights play tournament @ madison square garden, while fbs schools received $100 million $110 million pool had accumulated entry fees, exit fees, , ncaa basketball tournament appearances.