Not a shocking development, though reality is starting to settle in that we might just actually be stuck here until 2014.
The conference has no intention of lifting the 27-month exit period for any amount of money. BCS commissioners seem to believe otherwise and think that the Big East and West Virginia will cut a deal.
Don't be fooled into thinking this is some kind of altruistic strike in the name of "loyalty, honor and tradition." This is a business decision. If any schools leave the Big East before their current TV deal is up, ESPN has the legal right to renegotiate (see: drop the price of) the contract. Hence..."the bylaws are the bylaws are the bylaws."
In other words, you might want to get used to this hypothetical 2013 football schedule.
The other part to this story is the ongoing legal battle between West Virginia, who seems extremely intent on competing in the Big 12 in 2012, and the Big East, who has no intention of letting that happen.
West Virginia's motion to dismiss the Big East lawsuit against the school was denied Tuesday in Providence.The Big East will fight WVU's insistence tooth and nail since a monetary buyout to them sends a signal to SU and Pitt that they can do the same. And that ain't happening.
That said, don't be surprised if the Mountaineers eventually just leave and tell the Big East to send them a bill.
The reality is, West Virginia can simply leave and play in the Big 12 next season, but monetary legal damages of breaking that contract could make Texas A&M’s buyout from the Big 12 (estimated at $13-15 million) look like chump change – especially if Pitt and Syracuse are willing to wait to leave WVU alone in its contract defiance.
The next step will be the release of dueling Big 12 & Big East 2012 football schedules, which both could include West Virginia on them. And then the game of chicken really heats up. As Matt Hayes points out, all six BCS commissioners will be sitting in the same luxury suite at the BCS Title game. There might be some awkward conversations that night in between bites of their lobster rolls.