Temple in Talks to Join Big East in All Sports

The Big East is in discussions to add Temple for all sports as early as the next school year, according to someone briefed on the talks. Temple belongs to the Mid-American Conference and the Atlantic 10 in various sports and there are legal issues that have to be dealt with before the Owls would be able to leave. A resolution is expected this month.

Within the next month, Temple will also have to inform the new conference formed by the merger of the Mountain West and Conference USA of its intentions. Temple has been asked to join that league.

Temple is a former member of the Big East in football. It was thrown out in 2004 for consistently underperforming, but it now serves a two-fold purpose for the league.

If Temple is able to maneuver out of the MAC, it will fill an immediate void in the Big East’s football schedule that was created by West Virginia’s move to the Big 12, where the Mountaineers will begin play next season. West Virginia’s move to the Big 12 and its $20 million exit fee were completed within the last month, leaving the Big East with the logistical nightmare of attempting to fill holes in its football schedule on extremely short notice.

Temple’s football team will also add value to the Big East beyond scheduling convenience. Since being booted out of the Big East, the Owls have transformed their program. Temple beat Connecticut two years ago when UConn won the Big East, and the Owls were 9-4 under the first-year coach Steve Addazio last season, including a decisive victory over Wyoming in the New Mexico Bowl.

Temple would also give the Big East a much-needed boost in basketball. Along with West Virginia, the Big East is losing the original members Pittsburgh and Syracuse in the next few years. Louisville Coach Rick Pitino has been a prominent voice lobbying for Temple’s addition. The Owls consistently appear in the N.C.A.A. tournament team and the program has a rich history and a strong fan base.

The addition of Temple would bring the total of Big East programs to 13 in football and 18 in basketball.

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