The Confidential

Syracuse & Pitt to Join ACC in 2013?

Ever since the ACC announced that it was expanding to take Syracuse and Pittsburgh, the conventional wisdom was that the plan would not be completed for at least one year.  Indeed, both schools were obligated to stay for 27 months after providing notice of their intent to depart.  While West Virginia has made news by suing to get out of its obligation (which was recently settled), Syracuse and Pitt remain within the Big East.  However, it looks like there is a real possibility of the expansion being completed for the 2013 season.

Although Big East commissioner John Marinatto has previously said that the 27-month obligation would be adhered to, he changed his tune a bit recently: “”But given the strength and speed of our expansion efforts, I think our board might be open to a discussion about 2013.”  Indeed, the article noted that the conference will have 13 football playing members in the 2013 season.  So it is not like the Big East will need the two schools.

With the recent news regarding the ACC’s television deal, there is some financial benefit to getting the expansion completed in 2013, rather than 2014.  If reports are true, the television deal will add at least $1 million per school and perhaps more.  It will not kick in until the expansion is done.  But there is no real urgency.

So everyone will just have to remain patient for at least one more year.