Syracuse and Big East Agree on 2013 Orange Departure to ACC
By Kyle Kensing
The Syracuse athletic department issued a press release on Monday morning announcing the approval of its split from the Big East Conference in 2013, without the two parties having to enter into court proceedings. SU will pay the conference $7.5 million in departure fees on its way out to the ACC.
This is a far more amicable split than the Big East’s with West Virginia earlier this year, or with all-too-brief member TCU. WVU paid the Big East $20 million to leave for the 2012 football season, in part with a loan from its new home, the Big 12. The two sides struggled through lawsuits to reach the begrudging agreement. TCU never spent a day as an official Big East partner, but is being sued for $5 million in exit fees. A showdown with Pitt is looming, though a clean break with SU offers hope on that front.
The conference has reached a point where its legal battles receive more attention than those played out on the gridiron. Moving forward and turning attention to its product is essential for the Big East during these tumultuous times.
The league is in TV talks currently, and stability is critical at the negotiating table. Its former broadcast home, ESPN, used its flagship college football program to blast the conference’s quality last week.
Motives for such criticism might be genuine, though the timing is fishy. The conference’s contract with ESPN expires at the end of 2013, the first season without Syracuse’s New York market presence and likely without the Pittsburgh market. The conference is rumored in conjunction with burgeoning NBC Sports Network frequently.
Boise State’s search for a permanent home for its non-football programs had folks holding their breath June 30, but the Broncos’ full commitment is a positive building block for proceeding into the future. Severing ties with the outgoing programs quickly and as painlessly as possible will allow the Big East to find a full-time replacement for John Marinatto as commissioner, and focus on further establishing its Western footprint. BYU is a worthy target, though TV differences pose significant challenge.