Big East Talking to ACC and Big 12?

Big East is talking to other conferences about realignment, could they add another team or something else?

Since the SEC didn't invite Texas A&M a week ago (after all the buzz and speculation, still will probably happen) conference expansion has quieted down a bit, but it seems the Big East Commissioner is talking with other conference commissioners.

Big East commissioner John Marinatto has been in contact with Big 12 commissioner Dan Beebe and ACC commissioner John Swofford about realignment possibilities (and just when you thought it was safe to walk outside again).

While the details are quiet, Marinatto did state that the conversations would cover, he did state that they would try to take the lead and do things the right way (doubt the NCAA and new president Mark Emmert get involved except on trade and other legal issues that come with a realignment).

Swofford (ACC) stated that if realignment and talks work to improve business among the conferences and the NCAA in general, then they need to try it. A direct quote from him stated "In my opinion, further exploration would be healthy and beneficial for our profession."

So overall it sounds like the Big East, ACC, and Big 12 are at least wanting to meet and talk about the possibility of realignment (all about the money of course) and the Big East is leading the front on the talks.

With the Big 12 falling apart it seems with TAMU wanting to run to the SEC, the Pac-12 hovering around like a vulture and the other programs hating Texas, it would be good for them to talk as well as the ACC which is looking at the possibility of losing programs down the road (someone tell the SEC to knock it off already).

The Big East could expand and has already made a bold move by adding TCU and invited Villanova (not sure what they are waiting for in their decision). The talk of realignment could help all the conferences to some extent, but the real question is what it would mean for the Big East? Would Marinatto add another team to the conference, would the ACC grab USF if they lose teams and what will happen to the Big 12 if TAMU jumps and/or the other teams get tired of Texas and want out?

There is a lot to speculate and guess at, but for now, at least the Big East is doing something and taking the initiative in this never-ending conference talk. It will be interesting to see if something ever comes out of these talks.