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Big East Expansion: Temple's Verbal Agreement To Join In 2012 Disputed By School Official

Temple University has given the Big East Conference a verbal agreement on joining in 2012, according to a report by CBS Sports.

An official announcement of the move will be held off because the Owls need to settle their move from the Mid-American Conference, according to the report. CBS Sports also said that Temple's Olympic sports might have to wait until 2013 to join the conference because of the $1 million difference in the exit fee between an advanced notice and quick departure from the Atlantic 10 Conference.

MAC commissioner Jon Steinbrecher and Big East commissioner John Marinatto did not comment on the report.

However, Temple did respond to the report and denied it.

"There is no verbal commitment, no written commitment and no oral commitment," said Patrick J. O'Connor, Chairman of Temple's Board of Trustees. "We are still evaluating. That is a fact." (via CSN Philly)

Temple was previously a football-only member of the Big East from 1991-2004.

For more on Temple, visit our team pages for football and basketball. For more on the Big East, visit Big East Coast Bias, or visit our page for conference realignment news.