Big East, Pittsburgh reach agreement for Panthers to join the ACC in 2013

By Kevin Kelley -

The Big East Conference and Pittsburgh have reached an agreement that will allow the Panthers to leave for the ACC for the 2013 season.

Pittsburgh’s membership in the Big East will end on July 1, 2013 and the Panthers will officially join the ACC on the same day. Pittsburgh will pay the Big East a one-time fee of $7.5 million for their early departure.

“This is another step for the Big East to take toward a very exciting future. With the addition of our eight new members, the Big East will be incredibly strong and vibrant,” said Joe Bailey, Interim Commissioner of the Big East.

“We have appreciated and enjoyed our membership in the Big East and wish them much success in the future. We are anxious to compete in our final season in the Big East and look forward to an exciting future in the Atlantic Coast Conference,” Pittsburgh Athletic Director Steve Pederson said.

Pittsburgh accepted an offer to join the ACC last September along with the Syracuse Orange. The Orange came to terms with the Big East on Monday and will also pay a $7.5 million exit fee.

With both Pittsburgh and Syracuse now officially joining the ACC in 2013, the ACC will switch to a nine-game conference schedule. Syracuse will compete in the Atlantic Division with Pitt in the Coastal Division.

Pittsburgh is tentatively set to open the 2013 season at home vs. Villanova on Aug. 31. Pitt also travels to Navy and host Notre Dame.

The Panthers will take on new ACC foes Duke, Georgia Tech, Miami (FL), North Carolina, Virginia, and Virginia Tech and three Atlantic Division teams.

Syracuse is currently slated to open the 2013 season vs. Penn State at MetLife Stadium in East Rutherford, NJ on Aug. 31. The Orange then travel to Northwestern on Sept. 7.

In ACC play, Syracuse will face Boston College, Clemson, Florida State, Maryland, NC State, Wake Forest, and three teams from the Coastal Division.

Football Schedules:

Comments (7)

Don’t know why they had to have 2 separate press releases for Syracuse and Pitt. I’m sure the deals were completed at the same time.

Next summer you guys say goodbye to the big east, and Florida State and Clemson say goodbye to the acc! Hope the big east gives you one hell of a goodbye

Classy roll tide! This is why people hate the sec the fans are horrible and rude to others.