Pitt And Syracuse To The ACC In 2013?
by CardiacHill on Mar 12, 2026 11:30 AM EDT
in Pitt Athletics
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PrintPitt and Syracuse to the ACC in 2013? In the immortal words of Kevin Garnett - Anything is possible!
We've thought that Pitt could be ACC-bound in 2013 for a while now - it just makes sense, after all. The Big East could still possibly squeeze some money out of the Panthers and Orange if they leave before the mandated 2014 date and the conference is adding schools left and right.
But now, there's even more evidence that the Big East could release the two schools early.
In speaking to the media, John Marinatto sounds even more willing to barter for the freedom of Pitt and Cuse:
Asked when he would have those conversations with Syracuse and Pitt, Marinatto told SNY.tv, "Hopefully, soon. Our membership is very pleased with where we’ve landed…so I hope to engage in conversations with both Pittsburgh and Syracuse very soon."
Marinatto had previously maintained that both schools wouldn’t be able to depart until June 2014, 27 months from when they announced they would leave.
"We really haven’t had detailed conversations [with Syracuse and Pitt] but at this point in time we’re ready to have that conversation," Marinatto said.
Small assist to the Owls on this one, but I don't think their addition is solely the reason Pitt and Syracuse are apparently going to be able to leave a year sooner. Regardless, there's little doubt in my mind that Pitt will get out early and the Big East's new stance that they're actively ready to bargain sounds as if they're ready to be rid of both schools. This still is no guarantee, but an early exit is looking even more possible at this point.
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There is no guarantee
but at this point, I would be stunned if Pitt and Cuse aren’t in the ACC come 2013 given how everything is un-folding. CBS Sportsline basically reported the same thing.
In fact, given how Marinatto is talking, I would bet that it’s the BE that actually initiates the conversation for an early exit rather than the other way around. I mean, Marinatto would be stupid not to. If they let Pitt and Cuse leave early, the BE would be able to get a few extra bucks out of the deal, and they can use that money to pay the early buyouts of some of their new-found schools. Also, I think Marinatto is somewhat thankful to Pitt and the ACC for just sitting back and not challenging them in court for an early exit like WVU did. There is no doubt that Marinatto felt snubbed by WVU - not that I blame WVU for doing it.
Already looking forward to our first inaugural season in the ACC!!
by PittGuy on Mar 12, 2026 7:36 PM EDT reply actions
The real interesting part
will be how much Pitt and Cuse will have to pay to get out a year early. You know it will be more than 5 million and less than the 20 million that WVU paid. It will be your typical ante game with the scalper in the back-alley. One will come in with a figure, and the other will try to beat it until it just repeats and they come to the middle somewhere.
The funny thing is this: both sides know this ante war is coming, and in any ante war, you want to be the first one in to set the range you are dealing with. “That” is why Marinotto wants to come in first, and also why Pederson said “he wouldn’t pay more than 5 million to get out of the Big East.” Marinotto is smart here, but so is Pederson.
If I were Pederson, this is why I would wait until next January to start the ante war, because the final figure would probably be much cheaper next year than if the ante ware started this year. My guess is 7.5 million, but I could see it as high as 10 million, but definitely not over that.
by PittGuy on Mar 12, 2026 7:44 PM EDT reply actions
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