TAMPA - The cost of leaving Conference USA for the Big East is one of the primary issues confronting South Florida as it engages in discussions about hopping leagues.
And it is a complex issue destined to find its way to attorneys.
USF, a top contender to replace Boston College in the Big East, would owe C-USA a $500,000 exit fee if it gives more than one year's notice, as expected. It would owe $400,000 for two or three years' notice, which is possible if BC's departure is delayed from 2005 to 2006.
The Bulls also would owe an amount to be negotiated based on the revenue they would cost C-USA by leaving, such as diminished television rights fees.
"Basically, if there is an effect on revenue, the bylaws allow for the conference to seek reimbursement," C-USA associate commissioner Dennis Helsel said. "That net figure ... could be or could not be given back."
Also to be determined is the balance USF would owe C-USA for football membership. The Bulls started in the league this year and must pay $200,000 annually beginning this season through 2007.
Joining the Big East might be even more complicated. There is no set entrance fee in league bylaws, said John Paquette, the Big East associate commissioner for communications. The league's athletic directors decide case by case, and there is no good reference point: There hasn't been a recent instance of a school jumping to the Big East for all sports, as USF and fellow C-USA schools Cincinnati and Louisville are poised to do.
Longtime Big East member Connecticut, which is joining the league for football next season, is "paying" its entry fee by not getting paid, UConn associate athletic director for communications Mike Enright said.
First, the Huskies forfeited the financial guarantee in their first road game at each Big East school. The guarantee, which can be several hundred thousand dollars when playing at marquee opponents, includes visits UConn has made to Virginia Tech, Miami and BC, which are leaving for the ACC.
Second, UConn will earn a partial share of league revenue for several years.
"It's a gradual increment to full revenue sharing," Enright said. "We did it this way instead of cutting a check to the league and giving them a lump sum."
The Bowl Championship Series situation - the BCS contract expires after the 2005 season - might be the biggest financial factor for USF. The BCS commissioners met last week, and they will lay out alternatives to an oversight committee of university presidents Nov. 16 in New Orleans. That's the same day they're scheduled to meet with officials from non-BCS conferences, such as C-USA, about opening access to those leagues.
Because the Big East is expected to extend formal membership invitations Nov. 4, USF could be making a decision without a firm grasp of the future composition of the BCS.
