Large exit fee would be part of any Air Force jump to Big East - Denver Post
If Air Force leaves the Mountain West for the Big East, it will be the first league school to pay an exit fee. That fee is expected to be about $5 million.
After Utah, BYU and then TCU gave notice they were leaving in the summer and fall of 2010 with no more than a wave goodbye, the league's board of directors revised the bylaws in June.
Now, any member resigning before June 30 of the year prior to departure, as Utah did, will forfeit its final year of league revenue. If the June 30 deadline is not met, the departing member is liable for the greater of $5 million or double the annual revenue. The revenue includes TV distributions, NCAA basketball tournament credits and any BCS distribution.
The Big East Conference
is interested in expanding up to 12 football playing members, and Air Force is a prime target."We haven't received an invitation from the Big East Conference," Air Force athletic director Hans Mueh said. "We've talked briefly, but we haven't been invited to join."
Mueh told The Denver Post over the weekend that the academy has interest in possibly joining the league for football and, if an invitation comes, a decision could be reached by month's end.
The Big East has eight schools playing football, but will be down to six after Pittsburgh and Syracuse move to the Atlantic Coast Conference. TCU, which was going to leave the Mountain West and join the Big East in July, announced Monday it will join the Big 12 Conference.
Should Air Force leave the Mountain West, it would be another huge blow to the conference. Commissioner Craig Thompson declined to comment Monday on the latest round of speculation about Air Force possibly leaving.
Mountain West spokesman Javan Hedlund said Thompson has been in constant communication with AFA superintendent Lt. Gen. Michael Gould and the other members of the league's board of directors about the ever-evolving realignment possibilities on the collegiate landscape.
Football coach Troy Calhoun didn't join the debate after Monday's practice, saying only: "We're lucky to be in the Mountain Conference. These are top-notch schools with great people in the Mountain West Conference."
On the field. Calhoun added a practice session Sunday because of the short week before Thursday night's Mountain West game with San Diego State.
The Falcons will be without starting tight end Joshua Freeman and reserve tailback Darius Jones, both injured in the Notre Dame game.
Natalie Meisler: 303-954-1295 or nmeisler@denverpost.com Irv Moss: 303-954-1296 or imoss@denverpost.com
11 Oct, 2011--
Source: http://news.google.com/news/url?sa=t&fd=R&usg=AFQjCNFymG6PS1n5N14v5-Oe2x5suxjgrQ&url=http://www.denverpost.com/afa/ci_19085225
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