Another Big East conference call

[Skingraft]

1:43pm update

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/14/report-big-east-to-invite-boise-state-five-others/

[Brad]

NBC Sports

Report: Big East to invite Boise State, five others

Posted by John Taylor on October 14, 2011, 1:43 PM EDT

Late last night, Ben noted a report which stated Big East officials were set to hold a teleconference Friday, with the primary objective being the conference’s presidents and chancellors voting on an increase in exit fees from the current $5 million to somewhere north of $10 million.

Should that transpire, the path would reportedly be cleared for the conference to move on to the next phase of keeping the league alive: doubling its current membership.

According to the New York Post, and citing unnamed sources, the Big East will issue invitations to Boise State, Air Force, Navy and UCF — those first three institutions would join as football-only members – once the exit fees are increased.  The Post reports those invitations could be made as early as this weekend.

The Big East had previously announced it had authorized conference officials to expand membership to an even dozen schools.

The final two spots, the Post reports, would come down to Temple, SMU and Houston.  From the paper:

Sources told The Post that Villanova expressed strong objection to sharing the Philadelphia market with Temple. Philadelphia, however, is home to Comcast, which logically favors more Philadelphia-based institutions. It’s possible the Owls could receive a football-only invitation.

If the Temple issue can’t be resolved, the league will move on Houston and SMU. Some factions in the conference don’t favor inviting both Texas schools, although with Boise State and Air Force aboard, it would make sense to have other programs west of the Mississippi.

Boise State has been connected to the Big East for the past couple of weeks, although a report surfaced yesterday that both the school and the conference had serious reservations about a hook-up.  Based on the Post‘s report, it appears at least one of the two sides have worked their way through whatever reservations it may have had.  It remains unclear how BSU would respond if issued an official invitation, although their decision would likely boil down to one factor: whether or not the Big East would maintain their automatic BcS bid beyond the current cycle that ends in 2013.

While some media outlets have referenced a two-year waiver that would carry the Big East’s automatic BcS bid through 2015, that’s far from guaranteed.  The addition of Boise State, however, could go a long way toward retaining the coveted and financially lucrative postseason slot.

Link

[abababa]

Hopefully they're discussing the upcoming lawsuit against the ACC, ESPN, Pitt and Syracuse!

Too bad Johnnie Cochran is dead  ;D

Is Jackie Chiles alive?

[79 Bull]

1:43pm update

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/10/14/report-big-east-to-invite-boise-state-five-others/

This is not an update.  Rehash of what was known last night.  Have they taken the vote on the exit fees?  Have they extended or shortened the exit term?  Have they agreed to invite the first 4?  If the call started this morning and there is no public statement yet, I imagine the bickering and positioning continues.

[Brad]

That's the latest.

Maybe I'll launch a Freedom of Information Act request to get the conference call dial in number.

[Brad]

Just came across this:

Report: Big East Expansion Plan Clearing Up

Staff

MetroNews Sports

According to a report from CBSSports.com, the Big East will now vote on Sunday on whether to increase the current exit fee of $5 million up at least $10 million for football members.  Also, the league is now reportedly 'united' on extending an invitation to Boise State to join the conference.  Sources told CBS Sports that the Broncos will be invited, along with Air Force, Navy and UCF.

The New York Post reported that those same schools could be invited by as early as the weekend or next week. According to the Post, the last two spots would then be up for grabs between Houston, SMU and Temple. 

http://www.wvmetronews.com/wvu.cfm?func=displayfullstory&storyid=48525

[79 Bull]

Check out BM's twitter....

McMurphyCBSBrett McMurphy

Big East spoke w/Boise State on Thursday & is meeting today w/UCF in Cincinnati bit.ly/nZaNw5

15 minutes ago

McMurphyCBSBrett McMurphy

Boise State, UCF, Navy, Air Force could get Big East invites next week, sources tell @CBSSports http://bit.ly/nZaNw5

21 minutes ago

http://twitter.com/#!/McMurphyCBS

[TrujilloBull2013]

so sad UCF gets an invite before Houston, SMU, Temple... Nova is really ******** on Temple. Judy apparently caved on genshafting UCF but Nova will never relent on Temple. seems they'll be the last man out unless/until the BE goes to 14 in which case i can see Nova and Temple being the last 2.

if AFA and Boise jump u kinda have to add SMU and Houston together as western teams to shorten up the travel. looks like Temple is out. i'd take them over UCF any day.

[TrujilloBull2013]

looks like this is what we'll end up with if the Big East mans up and invites and all our targets accept.

East

UConn

Rutgers

Navy

WVU

USF

UCF

West

Cinci

L'Ville

SMU

Houston

AFA

Boise

[79 Bull]

If only going out with 4 invites first, I wonder if the thinking is to play 12 teams next year including Pitt and Cuse.  Then invite SMU and Houston to start in whatever season Pitt and Cuse actually exit.  It would be hilarious to put the 2 of them in a west division for next year.