West Virginia settles suit, joins Big 12 in July

MORGANTOWN, W.Va. – West Virginia University announced Tuesday it has settled a lawsuit with the Big East for an unspecified amount, clearing the way for the Mountaineers to join the Big 12 in July in time for the fall football season.

Athletic director Oliver Luck said the terms of the deal were confidential and WVU wouldn’t release details. But Luck said no state, taxpayer, tuition or other academic dollars will be used in the settlement.

A person familiar with the agreement said the settlement totaled $20 million.

Luck said the funding will come only from private sources and money that athletics raised independently. WVU has already paid half of the required $5 million exit fee.

The Big 12 released its football schedule about an hour after the announcement. West Virginia makes its Big 12 debut Sept. 29 at home against Baylor.

West Virginia’s traditional rivalry game with Pittsburgh will be put on hold.

“It’s pretty obvious there will be no Backyard Brawl” in 2012, Luck said.

He didn’t rule out the possibility of a nonconference game against Pitt after 2012.