Butler moves to the Big East

INDIANAPOLIS (WISH) - Butler Basketball is moving to the "new" Big East and it’s become a nationwide discussion. 

A move to the Big East for Butler basketball would be a move to the big time, says Dr. Larry DeGaris, associate professor of marketing at the University of Indianapolis.

"Well I think it's a great move for Butler, because the Big East is a great basketball brand," he said.

The new Big East, which will include Butler and Xavier, and will be added to what’s known as the Catholic 7, members of the current Big East.  Those schools are Georgetown, DePaul, Marquette Providence, St. John's Seton Hall and Villanova. 

"You're looking at more national exposure, which they don't have right now," DeGaris said. 

As much as $3 million or more will be given to each school thanks to a rumored television contract with Fox Sports Network.

Butler is said to make less than a million in the Atlantic Ten, where it moved last May, after more than 30 years in the Horizon League.

Leaving the Atlantic 10 conference now could cost Butler as much as $2 million in exit fees.   

"But those exit fees are more than going to be made up in the revenue for the new conference," he said. 

DeGaris says the new Big East will likely be a basketball-only conference, filled with schools like Butler where football won't pay the bills.

"This is one of those situations where it's just a good deal for everybody," DeGaris said. 

Courtney Tuell, director of public relations at Butler, says there is no agreement for Butler to move. She says it's a rumor that got out of hand.

But the Big East school presidents met in Atlanta Friday allegedly to discuss the breakaway and the new Big East. A possible announcement may come as soon as next week.