West Virginia leaving Big East to join Big 12

West Virginia will join the Big 12, according to an official in the Big East who requested anonymity because he was not authorized to speak publicly about the move.

The Mountaineers would fill the spot vacated by Missouri when it jumps to the Southeastern Conference. Though Missouri hasn't formally withdrawn from the Big 12, that announcement appears to be a formality.

The move by West Virginia will leave the Big East on life support with just five football-playing members committed to the league. Syracuse and Pittsburgh have been accepted to the Atlantic Coast Conference.

To make matters worse, West Virginia will only be held to a $5 million exit fee. The league recently doubled the conference's football exit fee to $10 million, a move contingent on the execution of the expansion plan.

The increase in exit fee would be triggered as soon as Air Force or Navy agree to join the league, according to an official in the Big East who asked to remain anonymous given the sensitivity of discussions. Since neither Navy nor Air Force has made such a move, the Mountaineers will only have to pay $5 million.

Though the Big 12 would like the Mountaineers to begin league play next season, that timetable appears unlikely. Big East Commissioner John Marinatto is steadfast about not letting Pittsburgh and Syracuse leave for the Atlantic Coast Conference before their 27-month league notification expires.

The Big East has said it would like to add six teams to form a 12-team football league. Now make that seven. The original model includes inviting Mountain West members Boise State and Air Force and independent Navy as football-only members and Conference USA members Central Florida, Southern Methodist and Houston to join in all sports.

Houston regents will meet Thursday to authorize the school chancellor to negotiate a move to a new conference. But at least some of the institutions targeted by the Big East have been wary of additional Big East defections. Now with WVU's move, there's good reason.