WHO IS LEAVING?

Seven schools that don’t play FBS football — DePaul, Georgetown, St. John’s, Marquette, Providence, Seton Hall and Villanova — are organizing an exit from the league, according to multiple reports. Georgetown, Providence, Seton Hall and St. John's are original members of the Big East when it was formed primarily for basketball in 1979. Officials at the seven schools have concerns about the direction of the league and feel as if they have little power to influence it.

WHERE ARE THESEVEN TEAMS GOING?

The Catholic schools cannot dissolve the Big East — that would take two votes from football members, according to Big East bylaws. But as a group, the seven schools can leave without exit fees. The schools could add schools from the Atlantic 10 or create a nationwide basketball conference of Catholic schools.

WHO GETS THE NAME — AND THE AQ BID?

The departing schools will likely claim the NCAA Tournament bid. The league is likely to retain the name. There also could be legal fights over the waiting period to leave, NCAA Tournament money that is paid out every five years, about $70 million in exit fees the Big East has collected from recent departures from teams, and future possible exit fees from the latest members to announce they are leaving — Rutgers and Louisville.

BOISE STATE IMPACT

There are just four current Big East schools — Cincinnati, Connecticut, South Florida and Temple — that are committed to the league beyond 2013.

Ten schools, including Boise State, have plans to join within the next three years.

Of those 10 teams, six are scheduled to join the Big East in basketball: Temple, UCF, Memphis, Houston, SMU and Tulane. What happens to those programs now?

THE TV MONEY KEEPS DROPPING, RIGHT?

The loss of the basketball schools is likely to decrease the Big East’s media rights deal even further. The conference is currently negotiating a television contract, one that is seemingly dropping in value by the day.

The league turned down an offer from ESPN last year that would have paid the conference more than $150 million annually. Now reports are that the television deal could be worth less than $50 million per year.

Boise State President Bob Kustra was not available for comment Thursday.

Staff and wire reports

WHAT ABOUT THE MOUNTAIN WEST?

The league has 10 members committed for 2013 and beyond. Boise State and San Diego State could slide back into the league easily, though the Broncos could owe an exit fee to the Big East if they didn’t join.

Another factor stopping the Broncos from running right back to the Mountain West: Its current television deal is worth just $800,000 per season.

ARE THERE ANY OTHER OPTIONS?

Sure. None of them are easy. In addition to staying in the Big East for football-only or rejoining the Mountain West:

• The Big East could try to add BYU and additional Mountain West teams to create an all-sports western division to go along with an all-sports eastern division. Boise State’s non-football sports are headed to the Big West.

• Boise State could go independent in football. The Broncos would likely secure a solid television deal, but could face trouble scheduling and would have little access to college football’s new postseason and its riches.

Brian Murphy: 377-6444, Twitter: @MurphsTurph