It's long been rumored, but the Big East finally confirmed it has plans to expand the conference by adding two more football playing members:
↵↵↵↵Big East presidents agreed in a meeting on Tuesday that it would be in their best interests to increase its football membership from eight to ten members, the conference said.
↵↵"Today, our Board of Directors affirmed a set of key strategic initiatives, including expansion, designed to enhance membership stability and maximize our value," Big East commissioner John Marinatto said in a statement.
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This really isn't huge news since these plans have been out in the rumor mills for a while. But the Big East formally admitting that it is looking to expand is the first step in it actually happening.
↵The two schools that are chosen have yet to be confirmed. Villanova is always mentioned as one of the top candidates and while they would add little in terms of quality football competition, their addition as a football playing member would be ideal as they already play basketball in the Big East. Their addition would not further expand an already large basketball conference. Other schools that have been mentioned for expansion include TCU, Memphis, Central Florida, Temple, and East Carolina.
↵The Big East had no further comment about schools or even when the conference plans to expand.
↵I've mentioned this before, but while adding two teams may be nice, the Big East needs to be looking at adding three or four. College football expansion is not likely over and if the Big East adds only two teams, it would be in a similar position than it is now if, say, the Big Ten comes along and snatches up two of its teams.
↵Still, some expansion is better than none.