Nicole Auerbach, USA TODAY Sports
And the mad dash to escape the Big East continues.
Notre Dame is the latest program to get out of the league earlier than originally planned. Therefore, the Irish will not spend next season competing against any of the incoming Conference-USA members (Memphis, Houston, SMU and UCF).
Notre Dame and the Big East reached an agreement Tuesday morning that allows the Irish to leave the league on July 1, 2013.
This paves the way for their expedited move to the Atlantic Coast Conference, where they will begin competing this fall.
"Notre Dame now looks forward with great anticipation to becoming a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference," Notre Dame vice president and director of athletics Jack Swarbrick said in a statement. "We are thrilled to join a great group of institutions who share our commitment to the integration of athletics into the academic mission of the university. Our coaches and student-athletes across our athletic programs are truly excited about the new challenges ahead."
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ESPN initially reported that Notre Dame would have to pay the Big East $2.5 million to leave the conference early, but now, both Sports Illustrated and ESPN are reporting that there will be no required exit fee because the school agreed not to seek any of the league's exit and entrance fee revenue. Sports Illustrated first reported Notre Dame's imminent split from the Big East late Monday night.
"This decision makes sense for the Big East," Big East commissioner Mike Aresco said in a statement. "In view of Notre Dame's expressed desire to join the ACC on an earlier timetable, the Big East and Notre Dame were able to arrive at an acceptable resolution. The Big East can now focus fully on its future alignment and rebranding efforts.
"I want to thank the Notre Dame administration and Athletic Director Jack Swarbrick for their efforts in moving toward this orderly transition. Notre Dame has been a valued member of the Big East and we wish them well."
ACC commissioner John Swofford also released a statement Tuesday, expressing delight that Notre Dame will become a member this summer. He added that the five annual ACC football games played against Notre Dame will begin in 2014, while emphasizing the impact the addition of Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame will have on the league's basketball.
"From a basketball perspective, the level of competition will be second to none," Swofford said. "As we look towards the future, there's no denying that ACC basketball will continue to set even higher standards of excitement and excellence. The competition will be brutal, which is a great thing for our league and fans."
It's no surprise Notre Dame wanted to join the ACC early; that has been its desire for months. Men's basketball coach Mike Brey said this weekend after what he expects was his final Big East regular-season game against Louisville, "I'm fully expecting to play in the ACC (next season)."
Next season, the ACC will have 15 basketball schools, including its three newcomers from the Big East: Syracuse, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame. Maryland will leave the following season, which is when Louisville will join.
According to SI, Notre Dame's departure fell under the same legal rubric as the Catholic 7's, who announced their official split from the Big East on Friday. That also allows the Irish to keep their NCAA tournament units - like the Catholic 7 did - which affects NCAA tournament payouts.
Also Tuesday, the Catholic 7 presidents announced that they will officially be taking the 'Big East' name for their conference, which will begin play this fall. In a statement, the presidents said the seven schools "have unanimously established the goal of continuing the storied legacy and time-honored traditions of athletic competition so closely associated with the Big East."
The Catholic 7 schools added that they expect information about their expected broadcast media deal, season-ending tournament and new members to be announced in the "near future." The league is expected to keep its postseason tournament in Madison Square Garden, and new members are expected to include Butler and Xavier. Creighton, Saint Louis and Dayton are also possibilities if the league expands to 10 or 12 members.
USA TODAY Sports