NEW YORK, Dec. 6 (UPI) -- The Big East is close to adding Boise State, San Diego State and three other schools, The (Newark, N.J.) Star-Ledger reported Tuesday.
Citing an unnamed "leading college official," the newspaper said the conference will announce Wednesday the two schools are joining as football-only members, while Southern Methodist, Houston and Central Florida will sign up for all sports.
The finishing touches are being put on the deal after the Big East's five remaining football athletic directors -- representing Rutgers, Louisville, South Florida, Cincinnati and Connecticut -- met in New York late Monday, The Star-Ledger reported.
Conference officials are hoping to have the new members in place by 2013, with West Virginia remaining in the fold until then, pending a legal battle.
The Mountaineers have agreed to join the Big 12 and wants to switch next season, but the Big East is demanding West Virginia adhere to a 27-month exit penalty that would hold them until June 30, 2014, the newspaper said.
