Rutgers sues Big East over exit fee

Rutgers University is suing the Big East over the exit fee that, Rutgers claims, arbitrarily applies to Big East football schools. (Rick Shultz/Getty Images)

Rutgers is suing the Big East over its $10 million exit fee and the mandated 27-month waiting period before joining the Big Ten, reports Courthouse News Service.

The complaint has been filed on the grounds that the exit fee arbitrarily applies to Big East football schools, to penalize those seeking to withdraw. The Big East allowed Syracuse, Pittsburgh, TCU and West Virginia to leave without the waiting period. Rutgers also claims that the conference failed to collect the $39.5 million in withdraw fees from the departed schools.

Rutgers' proposed solution is outlined in the complaint:

"The court should accordingly enter an order declaring the Bylaws to be void and of no effect as between the parties, permitting Rutgers to withdraw from The Big East prior to July 1, 2015, or in alternative, declaring that The Big East has waived Rutgers' obligation to abide by the 27 months notice provision and the requirement of a withdrawal fee."