Big East Will Expand Football Membership

PHILADELPHIA (AP) — The Big East conference has unanimously agreed to expand the number of football-playing schools to 10. The Big East made the announcement after Tuesday's board of directors meeting in Philadelphia.

Commissioner John Marinatto says potential expansion candidates will start to be evaluated. The 16-member Big East has eight teams playing football. The conference informed Villanova in September that it wants to add them to the conference.

The Wildcats currently play in the Colonial Athletic Association. Villanova won the FCS national championship last year and would move up to the Football Bowl Subdivision.

Other potential ways of expansion include inviting programs outside the conference to join them.

Copyright 2010 The Associated Press.