Big East split complicates Notre Dame departure - 13 WTHR Indianapolis

Notre Dame's athletic director says the recently announced split between the Big East and seven schools that don't play major college football could complicate the Fighting Irish's exit from the conference.

Notre Dame announced in September it is leaving the Big East to join the Atlantic Coast Conference, though its football program will remain independent.

Big East bylaws require 27 months' notice from departing members, which would put Notre Dame's arrival in the ACC at 2015. The Irish would like to get out sooner and the Big East has been willing to discuss an early exit.

But now with the possibility that the departing basketball schools might try to keep the Big East name, Notre Dame athletic director Jack Swarbrick says the very definition of the Big East could be in question.

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