4-1-Zoo: Big East members want Pitt gone now
PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) -- Big East commissioner John Marinatto may be the only one that wants to keep Pitt and Syracuse around as long as possible before heading to the ACC.
While Marinatto said he expects to hold both schools to the 27-month withdrawl period, no questions asked, remaining members of the Big East reportedly would rather see them go.
Immediately.
"Now that the Panthers and Orange have pledged their futures to the Atlantic Coast Conference, some Big East members would like to see them gone as soon as possible, a source close to the conference told Sporting News.
"Commissioner John Marinatto has declared he will hold Syracuse and Pitt to the 27-month time frame for exit mandated by the league charter. This could be a negotiating tactic, or he could be serious, but in either case several member schools just want the two schools gone."
Leaving soon is right up Pitt's alley. Athletic director Steve Pederson and chancellor Mark Nordenberg have hinted that they'd pursue all available options of leaving the conference earlier than the 27-month period.
If Pitt were to be held for 27 months all programs would have to wait until 2014 to make an official move to the ACC.
Clearly, the sooner Pitt can make the jump to the ACC the better for football, basketball and all other programs.
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Chris Gates | Area 4-1-Zoo Blog
Twitter.com/Chris_Gates
Chris.Gates@cbsradio.com
