Sources: Big East To Let Catholic 7 Take Name, Leave This Summer

The Big East today is expected to formally announce that it has reached an agreement with the Catholic 7 schools, "allowing for their departure this summer," according to sources. The deal reportedly "will allow those schools to keep the Big East name and the right to play their basketball tournament" at MSG. The new conference, which sources said would launch July 1, is "expected to add Butler and Xavier and likely Creighton to have at least a 10-team basketball league" for the '13-14 season (ESPN.com, 3/6).

The timing of this move could also help dictate when the ACC adds Notre Dame. ACC Commissioner John Swofford: "I don't think any of us really anticipated the possibility of the seven Catholic schools leaving the Big East immediately. If that happens, we'll have discussions and see if there's an adjustment that needs to be made" (Greensboro NEWS & RECORD, 3/7).