The Big East filed a breach-of-contract lawsuit against West Virginia on Friday, four days after the university sued the conference in a bid to make a quick exit for the Big 12.
The conference said the lawsuit was filed in Rhode Island Superior Court seeking unspecified damages along with an order requiring West Virginia to stay put for 27 months in compliance with Big East bylaws.
The latest lawsuit underscores the Big East’s position “that it will vigorously pursue the enforcement of its rights and West Virginia University’s obligations,” Big East commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement.
Marinatto noted West Virginia helped construct the bylaws and formally agreed to them.
The presidents of the remaining Big East schools issued a statement in support of the conference’s suit.
“We believe that it is important to protect the integrity of the interests of the Big East Conference and its member institutions, and we are confident that these interests will prevail,” the statement said.
West Virginia spokesman John Bolt said the university is aware the Big East’s lawsuit has been filed, “but we have not received a copy of it yet and we will have no comment.”
West Virginia accepted an invitation from the Big 12 last week and wants to join for the 2012 season. The university filed a lawsuit Monday in Monongalia County Circuit Court. It seeks to declare the Big East bylaws invalid, claiming the conference breached its fiduciary duty to West Virginia by failing to maintain a balance between football-playing and non-football members.
The Big East wants to push West Virginia’s exit back to July 1, 2014.
West Virginia has already sent half of the required $5 million exit fee to the Big East. The university alleged that by accepting the down payment on the exit fee, the Big East agreed to West Virginia’s immediate withdrawal.
Kentucky switches QBs
LEXINGTON, Ky. — Kentucky coach Joker Phillips is going with freshman Maxwell Smith at quarterback for today’s game vs. Mississippi, and usual starter Morgan Newton will be available in case of emergency. Newton had a high ankle sprain last week against Mississippi State and was unable to put much weight on his right leg throughout practice this week.
Montana State adding lights
BOZEMAN, Mont. — Montana State plans to have lights in time for the MSU-Montana football home game Nov. 19, athletics director Peter Fields said.
“An incredibly generous anonymous donor has come forward with a leadership donation of $500,000 for stadium lights,” Field said in a statement Thursday. “Since that development, other benefactors have stepped up to help us reach the goal line.”
