UConn is "making plans to return to the Big East Conference for basketball" prior to the '20-21 season, according to sources. The school's athletic department "must work on future details related to their football program," which currently plays in the American Athletic Conference, while other collegiate sports plans and schedules are "being juggled." UConn was a Big East member from '79-'13 (DIGITALSPORTSDESK.com, 6/21). Other sources said that UConn is "expected to join the Big East in all sports except football." Many details of UConn's planned departure from the AAC "remain unclear" (USATODAY.com, 6/22).
The AAC's newly signed $1B TV deal with ESPN "would not be negated by UConn's planned departure" (CBSSPORTS.com, 6/22). UConn is "going to lose money on this deal -- at least initially." The Big East's TV deal with Fox is for "exactly half" of the AAC's deal with ESPN. UConn also "won't earn a full share of the conference distribution money until year six," and there will be a Big East "entry fee" (COURANT.com, 6/23).
