Temple to the Big East? Could happen
Mike DeCourcy of the Sporting News says the Big East is set to vote on offering Temple an all-sports membership:
Meanwhile, a source close to the Big East said that league is expected
to vote on offering Temple full membership in the league at its
secretive presidents’ meeting Sunday in Washington, along with demanding
a more firm commitment from restless members Connecticut and Rutgers.
The Big East lost longtime members Syracuse and Pitt to the ACC in
mid-September.
If this happens, its unclear what this will mean to UMass' long term future in the MAC.
Part of UMass' appeal to the MAC was to give the league an eastern
travel partner and a rival for the Owls. When the Minutemen were added
to the league, Temple amended its league agreement to go from being a
contract member to a full football member. According to UMass'
membership agreement, if either the Minutemen or Owls withdrew from the
MAC, they would be assessed a $2.5 million withdrawal fee.
The schools' memberships are intertwined. If Temple withdraws and
UMass chooses to leave as well, the Minutemen would only pay a $500,000
fee.
The MAC would have options too. If Temple leaves, the MAC could keep
UMass as a full member, convert UMass to a contract member for a length
of at least two years, or replace Temple with another school.










