I'm not buying the 6/30/15 departure date

[LauxForThree]

I think that has been the only exit date publicly stated for the exodus of the C7, however I have to think once the i's are dotted and t's crossed, an earlier date will be negotiated.

[TallTitan34]

This date came from a Big East official and they are simply going by the 27 month exit time.

They will leave well before then like all other exiting schools.

[GGGG]

This date came from a Big East official and they are simply going by the 27 month exit time.

They will leave well before then like all other exiting schools.

Yep.  And I wonder if the C7 will use the "nuclear option" of conference dissolution if negotiations go nowhere.

[chapman]

It it gets to the point that all of the 7/1/13 schools join, do they really want ten teams in their conference making their lives difficult for the next year and seven of them for two years?  Especially when they're not a factor in the TV negotiations and are likely to just beat them, steal their tournament bids away and take the NCAA shares away to their new conferences.  It would look pretty desperate on their part to all but admit they have no confidence in the league they've just joined and are just in it to leech off a bunch of schools that are being held hostage.

[chapman]

Saw a couple updates.  One, expanded article from Katz: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/70110/big-questions-on-exits-from-big-east  Claims that the C7 will need the time until 2015 to figure out everything.  I don't buy it.  He cites adding teams (we already have targets), figuring out on campus game options since all play in NBA or large arenas (I don't buy a huge attendance drop would prompt this need), and negotiate a TV deal (which the BE doesn't have in place either). 

Zagoria also updated his article: http://zagsblog.com/articles/big-priest-schools-cut-ties-with-big-east/#more-85224

In reference to the exit date, SJU's President said:

"We would like to do it whenever is best for all concerned," St. John's President Father Donald J. Harrington said on a conference call. "We really want to be good colleagues as we leave. St. John's, I'm speaking for now, but I'm sure the other presidents would feel similarly.

"And so if we as Presidents sit down with the football presidents and come to the conclusion that X date is the best time, that's when we would want to do it."

Also another source appears to be in agreement with Hunt that Xavier and Butler are in:

A source close to the decision told CityOfBasketballLove.com on Saturday afternoon that Xavier and Butler will 'definitely' be joining the Big Priest schools.

[GGGG]

Saw a couple updates.  One, expanded article from Katz: http://espn.go.com/blog/collegebasketballnation/post/_/id/70110/big-questions-on-exits-from-big-east  Claims that the C7 will need the time until 2015 to figure out everything.  I don't buy it.  He cites adding teams (we already have targets), figuring out on campus game options since all play in NBA or large arenas (I don't buy a huge attendance drop would prompt this need), and negotiate a TV deal (which the BE doesn't have in place either). 

It would take almost three years to figure that all out???  If they had to, they could get it done by next fall.

[dwaderoy2004]

Yep.  And I wonder if the C7 will use the "nuclear option" of conference dissolution if negotiations go nowhere.

I thought that wasn't an option at all because the bylaws actually require at least two football schools to vote for dissolution.

[GGGG]

I thought that wasn't an option at all because the bylaws actually require at least two football schools to vote for dissolution.

I've seen mixed reports on that, but honestly I had forgotten about that.

[Avenue Commons]

My understanding is current Big East rules can't penalize a group of 7 from leaving early. 27 month notice is a mere procedural requirement.

[dwaderoy2004]

That makes sense.  If they can't be charged exit fees, how could they charge them for exiting, albeit earlier than laid out in the bylaws.

[bilsu]

It makes sense on a lot of factors. I sure there are still negotiations going on for teams like Louisville to get out sooner of pay less money. Dissolve the league and there is a chance that Louisville leaves Scot free. Other teams joining the conference may have to give a year's notice. You need time to negotiate a good TV contract and the list goes on.

[Skatastrophy]

That makes sense.  If they can't be charged exit fees, how could they charge them for exiting, albeit earlier than laid out in the bylaws.

Being charged fees and being sued for breach of contract are different things.

[Avenue Commons]

The Big East rules permit all 7 to leave en masse. Therefore, there is no breach of contract. Their acts are in accordance with the rules.

[copious1218]

It was my understanding that there would not be any exit fees in this situation IF the 27-month waiting period was followed.  So there could be exit fees if the parties wanted to leave earlier.

[🏀]

We'll leave with Louisville after next year. Book it.

[jsglow]

I'm of the opinion that ALL parties are served to resolve this by next summer.  That's my expectation. 

[brewcity77]

I think we'll have it all done for next season. I know that seems like a lot to do in a year, but we already have no TV contract for next season. What's the upside to putting together a TV deal for one year and for us to be gone the next? I really think this will be our last year with Cincy and UConn.