Seven Non-FBS Big East schools say they are leaving the conference

The Big East Conference basketball tournament in New York City could be in jeopardy. (Michael Heiman/Getty Images)

The presidents of seven non-Football Bowl Subdivision schools in the Big East Conference released a statement Saturday saying they are leaving the conference, the Associated Press reports.

The presidents said it was a unanimous vote to leave.

DePaul, Marquette, Georgetown, Villanova, Seton Hall, St. John's and Providence are the schools set to leave the conference. The conference is still set to have a 13-team football conference next season.

Still at debate is if there will be a waiting period, if there will be an exit fee to leave the Big East and who receives the conference name and where the conference basketball tournament will be held.  The FBS schools that have left the Big East had to provide 27 months notice before departing.

"Earlier today we voted unanimously to pursue an orderly evolution to a foundation of basketball schools," the statement said from the president said. "Under the current context of conference realignment, we believe pursuing a new basketball framework that builds on this tradition of excellence and competition is the best way forward."

The Big East Conference released a statement confirming those schools plan to withdraw from the conference and that they are confident and united regarding their collective future.

“We have variety of options and are looking forward with great partnership, collegiality and optimism," a statement from the Big East said.

In the past two years, 14 conference schools have said that they are leaving.