The Big East is in discussions to add Temple for all sports as early as the next school year, according to a person briefed on the talks. Temple belongs to the Mid-American Conference and the Atlantic 10 in various sports, and there are legal issues that have to be settled before the Owls would be able to leave. A resolution is expected this month.

Within the next month, Temple will also have to inform the new conference formed by the merger of the Mountain West and Conference USA of its intentions. Temple has been asked to join that league.

Temple is a former member of the Big East in football. It was thrown out in 2004 for consistently underperforming, but it now serves a twofold purpose for the league.

If Temple is able to maneuver out of the MAC, it will fill an immediate void in the Big East’s football schedule that was created by West Virginia’s move to the Big 12, where the Mountaineers will begin play next season. West Virginia’s move to the Big 12, including a $20 million exit fee, was completed in the last month, leaving the Big East with the logistical nightmare of attempting to fill holes in its football schedule on extremely short notice.