By Jojo Doria

Providence, RI

The Big East's expansion plan out west will push on but without Brigham Young after the Cougars indicated they will not join the rebuilding conference.

According to multiple reports, BYU, one of the main targets of the Big East westward expansion, will not be joining the conference after the school refused to give up its television rights for its home football games.

Though the confirmed discussions between BYU and the Big East have broken off it was not indication that the Cougars will never become a football-only member of the Big East, according to a Salt Lake Tribune.com report, citing a source.

Some opine BYU is only after the money- - media rights and television revenue -- but it has also been noted the Big East cannot offer any substantial financial returns to make the Cougars shed its independent status.

The main drawn it had for BYU that the Cougars do not currently have is -- Automatic-Qualifying Status for the lucrative BCS bowls.

BYU departed the Mountain West Conference last season. Apart from football, all the Cougars sports at school are in the West Coast Conference.

The Big East is looking for new members following the departure of West Virginia, Syracuse and Pittsburgh.

 

 

Big East Can't Lure BYU Football Into Fold