The Catholic 7 basketball schools are departing the Big East, and like the angry kid in the park, taking their ball with them. The only difference is that the Catholic 7 are taking their basketball teams and their Big East moniker with them.
ESPN is reporting that the remaining Big East football schools are close to a name change, and that “The America 12 Conference,” is a very likely possibility.
The name has not officially been approved by the league’s presidents. Reports are that the conference also is considering several other names, sources said.
The conference’s law firm, Covington & Burling, purchased and registered the domain name America12.org on Tuesday, according to WhoIs domain-registration data.
The Big East law firm also purchased different variations of the America 12 domain including America12Conference.com, America12Sports.com, American12.org, American12conference.com, AmericaTwelve.com and TheAmerica12Conference.com.
The Catholic 7 schools are leaving the conference June 30 to start the new Big East, and the remaining football schools need to have a conference name by July 1.