WVU Files Lawsuit Against the Big East

[cmm27]

That seems to be the destination for this case. Though it would be the end destination anyway, because no matter what a lower court would rule the losing part would apeal immediately to a higher court. Expect this not to end any time soon.

[swilsonsp4]

No surprise here. The Morgantown judge denied the BE's request to dismiss WV's suit. I'm sure the Providence judge will do likewise in regard to WV's motion, sending this situation further into limbo. I'm not a legal mind. For anyone who can answer, is this headed for a Federal court because of the conflicting state interests (given that it's not settled between the parties)?

http://www.wvgazette.com/Sports/201112190161

[swilsonsp4]

WVU seeks to dismiss Big East's lawsuit


http://espn.go.com/college-football/...g-east-lawsuit

No surprise there. Typical legal dance, as both parties look for an edge before any trial would take place. Each side always argues that the other has no standing.

[cpawstoney]

WVU seeks to dismiss Big East's lawsuit

AP:
West Virginia filed a motion Tuesday in Providence County Superior Court in Rhode Island.

The motion says the court lacks jurisdiction over WVU and the university has sovereign immunity from lawsuits as an agency of the state of West Virginia. It also says WVU filed a lawsuit involving similar facts in Monongalia County four days before the conference's suit.

"The Big East's hasty filing is an entirely unwarranted attempt to sidestep the jurisdiction of the West Virginia Circuit Court," the motion said.

http://espn.go.com/college-football/story/_/id/7299009/west-virginia-mountaineers-seek-dismiss-big-east-lawsuit

[cpawstoney]

WVU aiming for 2012 start in Big 12, despite Big East's lawsuit

West Virginia has given assurances to the Big 12 it will play in the conference in 2012 despite an ongoing lawsuit filed by the Big East that seeks to hold the school to a 27-month waiting period

Big 12 Conference commissioner Chuck Neinas was not specific but told CBSSports.com that West Virginia had told the league before and after the Big East filed suit on Nov. 4 that it would be in the Big 12 next year.

West Virginia AD Oliver Luck also told reporters over the weekend that his program expects to be in the Big 12 in 2012.

"We were fortunate to get out," Luck told the Charleston Gazette. "We got out [of the Big East] when the ship was seriously going down. I mean, only the tip of the sail was showing."

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/16190935/wvu-aiming-for-2012-start-in-big-12-despite-big-easts-lawsuit

[cafemerald]

the big east will ask for an injunction. assuming it holds, then they will have to play there or not at all.

No judge will file that injunction.

The Big East is just going to have to seek damages.

[coach]

the big east will ask for an injunction. assuming it holds, then they will have to play there or not at all.

[Big B]

Looks like WVU is leaving no matter what the judges decision will be. What can the Big East do if they just leave?

http://www.cbssports.com/collegefootball/story/16190935/wvu-aiming-for-2012-start-in-big-12-despite-big-easts-lawsuit

[cpawstoney]

Big East sues West Virginia over bylaws

...filed in Rhode Island Superior Court in Providence ...

It seeks an order requiring West Virginia to adhere to Big East bylaws, in addition to damages from the school as a result of alleged "improper attempted withdrawal in violation of those bylaws."

"Today's legal action underscores the Big East conference's stated position that it will vigorously pursue the enforcement of its rights and West Virginia University's obligations under the conference's bylaws, which West Virginia formally agreed to and helped construct," Big East commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement Friday.

The Big East has not yet invited other schools to refill its ranks...

http://espn.go.com/college-sports/story/_/id/7190474/big-east-sues-west-virginia-enforce-27-month-waiting-period

[Big B]

Looks like Beast has WVU by the nut sack. I'm sure if a better option comes available the Big 12 will indeed retrack the invite. My guess they will be paying the 10 mil. instead of just 5 mil.

http://aol.sportingnews.com/ncaa-football/story/2011-11-02/west-virginia-big-east-invite-contingent-upon-2012-availability

[Rational Cat]

Why the BB only schools get a full slice is beyond me.

Because it's as clear to me as it has to be to you- the Big East is a basketball first conference.

[Lobot]

Rich Rodriguez has to be having a nice laugh over WVU's actions.

"They told me, a contract is a contract."

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports...is-a-contract/

And it is. WVU will play in the BIG EAST through 2013 unless a financial settlement is reached to compensate the existing schools. Why the BB only schools get a full slice is beyond me.

[Rational Cat]

Rich Rodriguez has to be having a nice laugh over WVU's actions.

"They told me, a contract is a contract."

http://collegefootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2011/11/02/richrod-on-wvu-lawsuit-i-remember-they-said-a-contract-is-a-contract/

[coach]

Those are not "legal" precedents and therefore likely not relevant. The conference by laws clearly indicate you have to remain for up to the specified months and pay the exit fee....The rub is that they are claiming breach by the conference put them in a bad spot. This situation could/will be rectified fairly clearly if the new teams join the "expanded" conference and a more lucrative deal is put in place. At that point, the "damage" claim would pretty much fall apart. The funny thing about all of it is that i think if once the big east expands, and if they add the schools they are talking about, i think it would have been win/win for both the conference and wv to stay put. Although we will have an east/west division, at least there is some synergy with conference members to not leave any out on an island by themselves as wv is now facing in all sports. It's hard for me to see with the schools we have, and are adding, if wv stays we are not right there with at minimum the acc in fball with some upside. I think this could prove to be very short sighted on their behalf. All bets are off if the tenuous texas/other big 12 guys start to quarrel. Wv might have had a better suit against Pitt/Syc.

[CaptainProbasco]

I am trying to figure out the real reason for holding these teams hostage.

Is it for BCS AQ evaluation points?

Is it to keep the league stable until we add the teams we are looking at?

Is it meant as a deterent for other teams to leave?

This is not without precedent. On Oct 12, 2003, BC accepted an invite to the ACC. But they played the 2004-2005 academic season in the Big East.

On Nov 11, 2003, UC, UL, USF, Marquette, and Depaul accepted invites to the Big East. But they played the 2004-2005 academic year in C-USA.


We want to keep WVU because it will be very difficult to add teams in time for next year, and we probably need at least 8 teams to keep our media contract. At the very least, we have the legal right to keep them, so we should exercise it in order to demand a bigger buyout from them.