Big East's Val Ackerman on Expansion: Conference Won't 'Stay at 11 Forever'

Big East commissioner Val Ackerman said the conference is likely to eventually feel the impact of college sports' widespread realignment despite so far holding firm with 11 all-sport members.

Ackerman told Dana O'Neil of The Athletic on Tuesday that two key factors in recruiting potential additions will be a school's basketball prestige and its geography, with the conference's current programs being located exclusively in the Northeast and Midwest.

"I don't think the Big East will stay at 11 forever," Ackerman said. "I can't quantify when, but there's too much going on around us. Maybe it's proactive, or it could be reactive expansion. You'd rather be proactive, but maybe other things helping…