Sports In the Courts Blog : New York Attorneys & Lawyers Specializing in Sports Law & Legal Analysis

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Earlier this week WVU sued the Big East Conference in order to allow it to leave the Big East and join the Big 12 effective June 30,2012. This is just the latest development in the ongoing saga of whether the Big East will continue to exist and be eligible for an automatic berth into the BCS Championship Series. WVU is seeking to be allowed to join the Big 12 earlier than the 27 month waiting period that is contained in the bylaws, which WVU signed. WVU is alleging that the Big East has breached the bylaws with its members as it is not a viable conference and has not done its part to ensure that the Conference receives an automatic berth in the BCS. Therefore, WVU is seeking to leave the Big East and be eligible to play Big 12 football starting in fall 2012. WVU is also arguing that TCU, a member of the Big East in theory for what seemed like a minute, was allowed to leave for the Big12 without having to wait 27 months. However, TCU had never officially joined the Big East when it decided to leave. Therefore, TCU was not subject to the mandatory 27 month timeline. Also, Syracuse and Pitt who are headed to the ACC have not challenged the mandatory waiting period, however, I have no doubt that they will challenge it should WVU prevail. Late last week, the Big East also filed suit against WVU to bar it from leaving the Conference and to enforce the bylaws. Good thing there are some hot issues off the field to keep everyone distracted from the product that's on the football field. This conference realignment promises to become more litigious before all the pieces shake out.