Report: Big East exit puts Notre Dame on board with the ACC on July 1

Notre Dame will become an almost full-fledged member of the ACC sooner rather than later.

ESPN is reporting that an agreement has been reached between Notre Dame and the Big East, allowing the Irish to leave the conference two years early and join the ACC on July 1, 2013.

A formal announcement is expected later today, according to the Chicago Tribune, after the Big East's presidents vote their approval via teleconference.

ESPN reports that Notre Dame will pay a $2.5 million exit fee.

The ACC announced previously that it would accommodate Notre Dame for the 2013-14 scheduling cycle if the school was able to secure early release from the Big East.

Also joining the league this summer will be former Big East members Pittsburgh and Syracuse. Louisville is scheduled to move to the ACC in a year, while Maryland will depart for the Big Ten.

ESPN reports that Notre Dame will play an 18-game regular season ACC basketball schedule next season that will include home-and-home games against Boston College and Georgia Tech, as well as two other opponents to be named later. The Irish will play one game against the remaining 10 ACC schools.

Notre Dame will be a full member of the ACC in every sport except football, in which the Irish will remain independent. Beginning in 2014, Notre Dame will play five football games per season against ACC opponents.