7 schools leaving Big East

WASHINGTON (AP) — The seven Big East schools that don’t play FBS football have decided to leave the conference and pursue a new basketball framework.

The presidents of the seven schools made the announcement Saturday, saying it was a unanimous vote.

The move leaves Connecticut, a founding member of the league in 1979, Cincinnati and South Florida — three current members with FBS football programs — up in the air concerning their futures.

The seven schools are: Georgetown, St. John’s, Villanova, DePaul, Marquette, Seton Hall and Providence.

The Big East is still lined up to have a 12-team football conference next season with six new members joining, including Boise State and San Diego State for football only. Rutgers and Louisville, which both announced intentions to leave the Big East, are still expected to compete in the conference next year.

The presidents have scheduled a news conference at 4:30 p.m.