Big East fires back with statement

West Virginia has filed a lawsuit today against the Big East.

At 6:05 p.m. the Big East released the following:

John Marinatto, Commissioner of the Big East, has issued the following statement in response to the news that West Virginia has filed a lawsuit to leave the conference prior to the 27-month period specified in the Big East bylaws.

“We are disappointed that West Virginia has adopted this strategy and cannot imagine why it believes it does not have to respect and honor the bylaws it agreed to as a member of the Big East.  Based on an initial review of the lawsuit, it is clear that the allegations and claims in it are false and inaccurate.  Certainly there is nothing in it that would justify WVU’s not fulfilling its obligations.  To put it simply, a contract is a contract.

“Once we have reviewed the filing, we will explore all our legal options and will act vigorously to ensure that WVU lives up to all its obligations to our conference. In the meantime, this lawsuit will not interfere in any way with our ongoing efforts to strengthen and expand the Big East.”