B.E. almost split apart in 2003

[cygnus34]

http://www.projo.com/pc/content/projo_20050224_24beast.23704bb.html

[SRQ]

From the article it appears that the $5M, 27  month exit-penalty was to sunset after 5 years.  Was this given an extention at some later point?  For how long?

[MechanicalBull]

NCAA rules say that in order to be a viable conference, six schools must be together for at least five years. With Notre Dame uncommitted to either side, there were only five basketball schools, and they stood to lose millions of dollars in NCAA basketball tournament units if no longer aligned with the Big East.

It would not "harm"  the basketball schools now if there was a split.  There would be 8 remaining basketball schools.  They could add a few more Xavier and St.Louis as many have named.

There would be great risk on the football side with a split.  If the 3 commonly reported teams actually bolt - RU SU and Pitt,  there goes the conference.  Add  TCU, Houston, Memphis NOW!  Get iron clad commitments from at least 6 of the schools that they will not leave for 5 years.

my 2 cents!