Monongalia County Courthouse is the venue for WVU's lawsuit (Flickr/Jimmy Emerson)
According to the Charleston Daily Mail, the Big East and West Virginia University have apparently reached a conditional settlement agreement that would resolve the claims of both parties. The Big East will receive about $20 million from the deal, with WVU chipping in $11million directly and the Big 12 covering the rest. An announcement could be made today.
The newspaper noted that while earlier versions of a settlement agreement had been contingent on Boise State being able to join the Big East for the 2012-13 season, that may no longer be the case. Orangebloods.com has reported that the Big East has tried to recruit Boise State to join a year earlier and even reached out to Temple about joining in the 2012 season.
The Big East was threatening to sue the Big 12 directly if an 8th team couldn't be arranged to fill the Big East football schedule for 2012, but ultimately the conference opted to settle the claim without further debate.
According to the Daily Mail, the breakdown of the settlement is as follows:
In that proposed scenario, WVU's $11 million payment would cover three things: The Big East's $5 million exit fee, Boise State's $5 million buyout fee, and $1 million to match what each Big 12 school is paying.
BIG EAST TERMINATES WEST VIRGINIA’S MEMBERSHIP
PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- The BIG EAST Conference Board of Directors has voted to terminate West Virginia University’s membership in the Conference, effective June 30, 2012.
This vote is conditioned on WVU fulfilling its obligations under a settlement agreement with the Conference that resolves the litigation between the parties.
"West Virginia University has acknowledged and agreed that the Court in Monongalia County, West Virginia, will enter a judgment that the BIG EAST Conference Bylaws are valid and enforceable, and will dismiss with prejudice all of West Virginia’s claims against the Conference." stated John Marinatto Commissioner of the BIG EAST Conference.
The Bylaws establish the circumstances by which a member may unilaterally withdraw from the Conference, which includes payment of an exit fee and a minimum of 27 months’ notice. The Bylaws also provide that the Conference may, by 3/4 vote, terminate the membership of any member and that is the process by which West Virginia University will depart as a member of The BIG EAST Conference.
In deciding to terminate West Virginia University’s membership, the Conference took into account the accusations that WVU asserted against the BIG EAST in the lawsuit that is now being dismissed. The Conference also took into account the steps that West Virginia University was willing to take to resolve the litigation, including the payment of an exit fee well in excess of that required by the Bylaws. In light of all of these factors, the BIG EAST Conference felt that it was in its best interest to terminate West Virginia University’s membership and conclude the litigation.
The BIG EAST Conference wishes the West Virginia University student-athletes success in their future athletic endeavors. With the recent addition of Boise State University, the University of Central Florida, the University of Houston, the University of Memphis, San Diego State University, Southern Methodist University, and the United States Naval Academy, the future for the BIG EAST Conference has never been brighter.