We’ve all heard the rumors and today the UConn’s Board of Trustees voted for a move to the Big East in all sports besides football in 2020-21.
Breaking: UConn’s Board of Trustees have approved the Huskies’ move back to the Big East. pic.twitter.com/5O5W0fWQBC
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 26, 2019
They will be leaving the American Athletic Conference, but the details haven’t been totally ironed out. We know the AAC will not let UConn just be a football only member and I understand why that is the case. The exit fee is $10 million and normally a 27 month notice, so I expect this to be very interesting. Will they go Independent or drop down to FCS because I don’t see the MAC or C-USA letting them in unless they fork over a lot of upfront money, but that’s just me sharing my thoughts I think FCS and Independent are the real options.
The Big East currently has Villanova, Butler, Xavier, Marquette, St. John’s, Creighton, Georgetown, DePaul, Providence and Seton Hall. Villanova, St. John’s, Georgetown, Providence and Seton Hall are the only original members added UConn will make it six, but it isn’t the Big East of 1985 or even 2010. I’m not hating on the Big East, I’m just being honest, I think it is a short sighted move especially for football which is the money maker for all school no matter what conference you are in.
And Dan Hurley rejoices that he no longer has to play ECU and Tulane. https://t.co/QEsruCQIt8
— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanHoops) June 26, 2019
Houston coach Kelvin Sampson on departure of UConn to Big East: “It’s a national brand. But the bell cow of our conference has been Cincinnati.”
— Joseph Duarte (@Joseph_Duarte) June 26, 2019
AAC will miss UConn’s name, but won’t miss UConn’s play and Cincinnati has been dominating them in basketball and football lately so that’s all that really matters. The AAC don’t need to rush to add a member on the football and basketball side, they need to stand firm until the right candidate comes available.
Shoutout to Houston’s Men’s basketball coach Kelvin Sampson for showing UC some love to the media! UConn have fun in the Big East, B o T hopefully you have a legit plan for the football program because sure doesn’t seem like it from how fast this move was made! Good riddance.
