Butler moving to Atlantic 10 sooner than expected

(AP Photo/Michael Conroy, File)

INDIANAPOLIS (AP) Butler is leaving the Horizon League and joining the Atlantic 10 sooner than expected.

Late Tuesday afternoon, the school announced that it would begin playing in the A-10 this fall, one year sooner than originally planned.

School officials say the two leagues were able to accommodate a quicker move.

Bulldogs athletic director Barry Collier says the school is grateful that things could be worked out this quickly and that it was in the school's best interest to reach an agreement with the Horizon League to leave immediately.

Horizon League spokesman Bill Benner declined to comment on the early move.

The Atlantic 10 says it will now compete as a 16-team league in 2012-13.

Updated May 29, 2012