Update: UConn has confirmed it will join the ranks of FBS independents beginning in 2020. The Huskies presently have four opponents lined up for next season -- vs. Wagner, vs. Illinois, at Indiana, at UMass -- meaning they'll need to line up eight new opponents in the next 13 months in order to play a full schedule.
As we've all learned with the recent conference realignments, when a team decides to leave a conference behind there are financial consequences. According to a report from
American Athletic Conference set to announce UConn departure terms have been finalized.
Sources: UConn's exit fee will be $17 million, payable in lump sums of $5-plus million each of next two years (AAC withholding distribution money) and about $1 million annually for six years.
— Mike Anthony (@ManthonyCourant) July 26, 2019
" target="_blank" rel="noopener noreferrer">Mike Anthony, the terms for UConn's departure from the American Athletic Conference have been finalized.
Anthony notes that UConn's exit fee will be $17 million. UConn will be able to pay that with $5 million lump sum payments each of the next two years, with the AAC withholding their distribution money that would normally be allocated to the Huskies, and then the school will also pay about $1 million annually for the next six years.
Back in late June news started to circulate that the Huskies could be on their way out of the American, and just a few days later the word became official that they'd be returning to the Big East in all sports but football, while the football team plans to play an independent schedule after the AAC decided to not keep UConn as a football-only member.
Stay tuned to The Scoop as more becomes official.