Syracuse will join the Atlantic Coast Conference effective July 1, 2013, the Big East and the school announced on Monday. Syracuse will pay $7.5 million as the Big East waives its 27-month notification agreement, allowing the school to leave a year early.
The departure of Syracuse, along with that of Pittsburgh, was first revealed in September. What wasn’t sure was when the moves would take effect.
Recommended Stories
“We look forward to the new academic and athletic partnerships and the extraordinary competitive opportunities that membership in the ACC offers,” Syracuse AD Dr. Daryl Gross said in a statement. “We are excited about both our final season in the Big East and our long-term future with the ACC.”
Expect a similar announcement about Pittsburgh in the coming days. West Virginia left the conference earlier this year, suing for the right to join the Big 12 immediately. A settlement fee of a reported $20 million was agreed to by the parties.
The Big East will carry on with the addition of schools such as Boise State, Memphis, SMU, San Diego State, Central Florida and Houston.
“This closes a chapter and opens a few one filled with exciting possibilities,” Big East commissioner Joe Bailey said in a statement. “With the recent addition of eight schools to the Big East, the future for the conference has never been brighter.”
