Connecticut state Senator Len Fasano supports UConn's move to the Big East, though he is "taking issue with how the move out of the American Athletic Conference is being paid for," according to Dan Brechlin of the HARTFORD COURANT. Fasano wrote to new UConn President Thomas Katsouleas this week wondering why some of the $17M exit fee from the AAC and the $3.5M entry fee to the Big East are being "paid for through student funds rather than the UConn Foundation." Sources said that the AAC is "withholding all conference revenues that would have been paid to UConn" in '19. It is "expected that roughly" $5.1M "would be held back" in the first year and between $5-6M the next year, leaving the school to owe $6M-plus. The school would pay about $1M annually for six years to "make up the difference." UConn CFO Scott Jordan said that that money "would come from revenue generated largely by 'athletics, non-degree programs, housing, dining, parking and real estate' -- not tuition or state support." UConn spokesperson Stephanie Reitz said that Fasano and Katsouleas "spoke Thursday afternoon" (HARTFORD COURANT, 8/2).
