With the action taken by the presidents yesterday giving authority to the Commissioner to aggressively pursue membership into the football side of the Big East Conference,one would think that positive things could happen (it should be noted that the much desired increased buy-out did not happen). However, what is the sales pitch to these schools? Air Force, Navy, Army, Boise State, Houston, SMU, ECU, UCF, Memphis, Temple, Tulane and Lord forbid Nova all are in need of AQ status so I would guess that would be selling point number one. That AQ status can remain if at least 6 of the remaining Big East members are all going to stay on board this ship. Problem for the Big East is that Rutgers, UConn, Cincinnati, Louisville and West Virginia have their respective sights elsewhere. So selling point number 1 is almost out the door before it can even creak open.
To navigate this Ocean is even more challenging when the TV partners are out to get you. It is pretty clear that master puppeteer ESPN is not going to do much to help the old Big East become the New and improved Big East. NBC Fox and CBS may be willing to throw some money toward the Big East but that likely wont be the premium dollars necessary to sustain the conference.
I fear that this Big East leader and his predecessor have repeatedly dropped the ball and now is in a desperate situation to stitch this conference back together. WVU's leadership have not given even token support of the most recent decisions and I don't think that this is going to change barring a major coups. I just hope that what ever happens WVU's AQ status doesn't come to an end.
Da Geek
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