Big East eyes expansion to 12 football teams
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}The Big East Conference is considering expanding to 12 football teams in the wake of three departures.
"On a teleconference earlier today, our presidents and chancellors authorized the Big East Conference to engage in formal discussions with additional institutions and are considering moving to a model that includes 12 football playing schools," the league said in a statement Monday.
Big East staples Syracuse and Pittsburgh announced last month that they were leaving for the Atlantic Coast Conference.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}TCU agreed to leave the Mountain West Conference for the Big East, but is now expected to accept an invitation to join the Big 12.
The imminent departure will reduce the number of football schools in the Big East to six: Cincinnati, Connecticut, Louisville, Rutgers, South Florida and West Virginia.