Sources: West Virginia, Big East Near Multimillion-Dollar Settlement

Sources said that West Virginia Univ. and the Big East are "nearing agreement on a settlement" worth at least $20M that would "resolve all issues between both parties." WVU plans to join the Big 12 for the '12-13 academic year, and sources said that school officials "have contacted future Big East members to see if one could join in 2012 instead of 2013." Otherwise, the conference would be left with "seven football members this fall" (CBSSPORTS.com, 2/8).

The lawsuit settlement could be announced as early as today, with sources saying that WVU will pay the Big East an $11M "cash settlement" (Charleston DAILY MAIL, 2/9).