After some lawyers got involved and expedited the whole process, West Virginia will leave the Big East for the Big 12 earlier than expected, with an official announcement coming from the Big East on Tuesday, according to multiple reports.
Big East to announce this morning West Virginia no longer a league member & headed to Big 12 for 2012-13 season
— Brett McMurphy (@McMurphyCBS) February 14, 2012
The fellas over at SB Nation also have more details on the buyout that the Big East will receive from West Virginia as a result. It turns out that the Big 12 will play a pretty good amount of that exit fee, including a portion as a loan to be repaid in the form of lower payouts in the future.
For more on the Mountaineers fight to leave the Big East, visit The Smoking Musket. For updates on Big East football, basketball and expansion, visit Big East Coast Bias, and stay tuned to SB Nation's college conference realignment section.