Marshall sues Conference USA to push up departure for Sun Belt

Marshall has filed a lawsuit against Conference USA to expedite its exit from the league so it can join the Sun Belt this summer, according to a copy of the case filed Tuesday.

Earlier this month, Marshall, Old Dominion and Southern Miss announced their plans to terminate their memberships in Conference USA on June 30 to become members of the Sun Belt. In mid-February, Conference USA released its 2022 football schedule, which included all three schools, and pledged to «exhaust all necessary legal actions» to ensure the outgoing members would participate this fall.

«For more than two months, Marshall University has attempted to reach a resolution with Conference USA regarding our decision not to participate in the league after this academic year; however, no progress has been made,» a Marshall athletics spokesman said in a statement to ESPN. «The action we brought yesterday is the beginning of litigation intended to protect our rights, help us reach an agreement in a timely manner and clear the way for our shift in conference affiliation. We look forward to a successful resolution of this matter and a bright future with the Sun Belt Conference.»

A spokesman for Conference USA said the league has no comment at this time.

The lawsuit, which was filed in Cabell County Circuit Court in Huntington, West Virginia, is seeking jurisdiction in West Virginia and aims to avoid arbitration. In mid-February, Conference USA filed a demand for arbitration against Marshall, seeking to compel the university to arbitrate its dispute with the league in Dallas.

Conference USA bylaws state that members must give the league 14 months' notice before departing. According to the lawsuit, Marshall informed C-USA of its intent to withdraw from the