Big East, Syracuse reach agreement for Orange to depart for ACC

By Kevin Kelley -

Big EastThe Big East Conference and Syracuse have reached an agreement that will allow the Orange to depart for the ACC for the 2013 season.

Syracuse’s membership in the Big East will be terminated on July 1, 2013 and the Orange will then join the ACC on the same day. In turn, Syracuse will pay the Big East conference a one-time fee of $7.5 million.

“This closes a chapter and opens a new one filled with exciting possibilities for the Big East’s future. With the recent addition of eight schools to the Big East, the future for the Conference has never been brighter,” said Joe Bailey, Big East Interim Commissioner.

“We look forward to the new academic and athletic partnerships and the extraordinary competitive opportunities that membership in the ACC offers. We are excited about both our final season in the Big East and our long-term future with the ACC,” said Dr. Daryl Gross, Director of Athletics for Syracuse University.

Syracuse accepted an offer to join the ACC last September along with the Pittsburgh Panthers. Pitt is currently involved in a lawsuit to leave the Big East.

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

Currently, the Orange are 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 (5)

Have to wonder now is ACC going to make its more to get another member n even out conference or does someone from the ACC make its move to the big 12 cough cough (Florida State?)

Oh yeah duh forgot that still hoping for that big move for FS n GA tech to big 12