On Monday night, the Big East members’ Presidents and Chancellors voted unanimously to increase the conference’s exit fee to $10 million. It’s a double-down, as the fee jumps from $5 million to $10 million. The increase, however, is contingent upon service academies Navy and Air Force joining the conference to swell its football member ranks.
News Monday afternoon that Missouri’s move to the SEC was imminent had significant implications on the chancellors’ discussions. CBSSports Brett McMurphy had the report:
Less than an hour before the Big East’s presidents and chancellors held their teleconference Monday night with Commissioner John Marinatto, the New York Times reported Missouri’s departure from the Big 12 to the SEC was "inevitable and imminent."
That development would have a significant impact on the league, specifically Big East members Louisville and West Virginia, who sources have told CBSSports.com are prime candidates to receive a Big 12 invitation if Missouri left. However, all of the Big East’s 14 members still voted unanimously for the increased exit fee Monday night.
The fee increase is aimed at bringing stability to the current members of the conference, particularly Louisville and West Virginia, thus making it more appealing for Navy and Air Force to join.
In addition to the service academics, the Big East continues to talk to Central Florida and Boise State. UCF is ready to join and awaits an invitation. As for Boise State, McMurphy reported that the Big East was confident about their chances with the Broncos.
As of Saturday, the Big East "felt confident about their discussions with Boise State," a college football industry source told CBSSports.com.
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