PITTSBURGH (93-7 The FAN) — In a teleconference Tuesday, Big East commissioner John Marinatto reaffirmed that Pitt and Syracuse will have to wait the mandatory 27 months to leave the conference for the ACC.

Many have wondered if that time frame — which is the mandated withdrawl period from the Big East — could shrink or, perhaps, disappear as the conference looks to reach out to other schools and preserve its lifespan. Marinatto said that will not be the case.

This means Pitt must remain in the Big East through June of 2014 before it can leave for the ACC.

Now, this still may just be the Big East positioning itself for the best possible outcome. It seems unlikely that the conference would keep Pitt if is was successful in expanding to 12 or more members.

But as of right now, there are no indications the Big East has any thoughts of budging.

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Chris Gates | Area 4-1-Zoo Blog
Twitter.com/Chris_Gates
Chris.Gates@cbsradio.com