JD and Karl Benson discuss the WAC settlement with Fresno State and Nevada

About how the most important thing was to keep Fresno State and Nevada in the WAC next year, JD said:
"That was the primary concern of the six remaining schools. To clear up the scheduling issue as quickly as possible." (HSA)


HSA Note: "Fresno State and Nevada were also each subject to a $5 million penalty for leaving the conference because of a loyalty agreement, the WAC contended. The amount was lowered to $900,000 each "after several weeks of negotiation," WAC commissioner Karl Benson said."


About getting the $900k and avoiding a long, expensive court battle, JD said:
"It was the best settlement that could've been negotiated without going to court. I'm not a legal expert, but my guess is a few months to several years." (HSA)


About how they could not let Fresno and Nevada leave after this year, Karl Benson said:
"To allow Nevada and Fresno to leave (after this spring) would put the WAC at a tremendous disadvantage." (HA)


About how their expansion options have not changed, Benson said:
"We're in the same position we were 60 days ago. For 2012 we definitely need three football-playing schools." (HSA)


http://www.staradvertiser.com/sports/sportsnews/20101029_WAC_departing_schools_settle.html