Big East suing TCU for $5 million over failed membership

The Big East made a big step toward their future by hiring Russell Reynolds Associates to conduct the search for its next league commissioner. The league has also reportedly looking at details of their past - specifically the contractual details with near-member TCU.

The Big East is suing Texas Christian University for $5 million. The suit claims that the school "materially breached" an obligation to pay the conference if the original membership agreement was not upheld.


"The Big East made demand for the payment owed under the agreement, but Texas Christian University has refused to make that payment or acknowledge it's obligation to do so," according to the lawsuit.

The suit, filed in federal court in Washington Monday, cites the original membership agreement between the Big East and TCU on Nov. 29, 2010. When TCU agreed to join the Big 12 in October 2011, they did not have to wait the 27-month withdrawal period required by conference bylaws because they never officially joined. The conference appears to be seeking the $5 million exit fee - which reportedly has not been paid.

Click here to check out the full complaint from the Big East, filed on Monday. (PDF)

READ MORE: Syracuse "would like to avoid litigation" against the Big East in exit.

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