Conference Realignment thread

[Brew_Poke]

On 8/25/2024 at 6:14 PM, utgrizfan said:

Yomark mentioning he wants the Vegas market is interesting, hypothetically would the Big12 want UNLV paired with UConn? Could do x3 Pods of 6 teams at that point to help travel costs and match the Big10 in # of teams:

WEST: UNLV, BYU, UTAH, AZ, ASU, Colorado

CENTRAL: Kansas, KSU, OSU, TTU, TCU, Baylor

EAST: WVU, Cincy, UConn, UCF, ISU, Houston

Playing 9 Conference games every year could easily be: 5 Pod games and 2 games from each other pod (1 home, 1 away) and could enable some rivalry games (Farmageddon) to be played every season.

@RebelRobert just creamed his jeans

[BacksThePack]

You get the Vegas market without adding UNLV. He justbmeans he wants tje MBB conference tourney there.

[Chalsean]

On 8/25/2024 at 6:14 PM, utgrizfan said:

Yomark mentioning he wants the Vegas market is interesting, hypothetically would the Big12 want UNLV paired with UConn? Could do x3 Pods of 6 teams at that point to help travel costs and match the Big10 in # of teams:

WEST: UNLV, BYU, UTAH, AZ, ASU, Colorado

CENTRAL: Kansas, KSU, OSU, TTU, TCU, Baylor

EAST: WVU, Cincy, UConn, UCF, ISU, Houston

Playing 9 Conference games every year could easily be: 5 Pod games and 2 games from each other pod (1 home, 1 away) and could enable some rivalry games (Farmageddon) to be played every season.

Pretty soon we will need to create a division just for Yormark

[wolf from 73]

 

WIlner Mailbag: Pac-12 and Mountain West face extension deadline, explaining Big Ten revenue splits, the Big Sky’s role and more

Jon WilnerPosted August 24, 2024 at 2:06 pm                                                                                                           the window to extend the deal expires on Sept. 1.

https://sports360az.com/wilner-mailbag-pac-12-and-mountain-west-face-extension-deadline-explaining-big-ten-revenue-splits-the-big-skys-role-and-more/

[Wyobraska]

On 8/26/2024 at 10:36 AM, wolf from 73 said:

 

WIlner Mailbag: Pac-12 and Mountain West face extension deadline, explaining Big Ten revenue splits, the Big Sky’s role and more

Jon WilnerPosted August 24, 2024 at 2:06 pm                                                                                                           the window to extend the deal expires on Sept. 1.

https://sports360az.com/wilner-mailbag-pac-12-and-mountain-west-face-extension-deadline-explaining-big-ten-revenue-splits-the-big-skys-role-and-more/

I think it was an interesting observation about MW schools dropping down to FCS rather than FCS schools moving up to the MW if the PAC 12 somehow successfully raids the MW.  

It would probably make more sense for the leftover MW teams to drop down, unless they can find some TV money for a reconstituted MW.  That seems unlikely.  I guess some schools could look at the American as well.  

[utgrizfan]

On 8/26/2024 at 1:48 PM, Wyobraska said:

I think it was an interesting observation about MW schools dropping down to FCS rather than FCS schools moving up to the MW if the PAC 12 somehow successfully raids the MW.  

It would probably make more sense for the leftover MW teams to drop down, unless they can find some TV money for a reconstituted MW.  That seems unlikely.  I guess some schools could look at the American as well.  

If the PAC2 rebuild with the top teams the remaining MWC schools could easily afford to rebuild with Big Sky and some CUSA schools due to exit fees and poaching penalties.

The top teams mentioned in a "rebuild": Boise, SDSU, Fresno, UNLV, CSU with the last team being a coin flip, let's say Hawaii for the hell of it.

That would be $60 Million in poaching fees alone before exit fees, even if they settle with the MWC your still looking at $100+ Million. There is more money in FBS so I don't see any scenario where they go down to FCS.

I could see them rebuilding up to 12 teams or even 14 if it was finacially beneficial and though a few on here wouldn't be a fan I think it'd be a pretty solid looking Conference IMO:

SJSU, Nevada, USU, Wyoming, Air Force, New Mexico, *NMSU, *UTEP, *Montana, *MSU, *NDSU, *SDSU, *Sac State, *Idaho

Gives you 4 Pacific, 8 Mountain and 2 Central Timezone teams giving you a decent # of time slots, some good brand recognition and State Flagships (Top 4 FCS Programs) along with decent markets (Sacramento, El Paso). 

[Wyobraska]

On 8/26/2024 at 4:58 PM, utgrizfan said:

If the PAC2 rebuild with the top teams the remaining MWC schools could easily afford to rebuild with Big Sky and some CUSA schools due to exit fees and poaching penalties.

The top teams mentioned in a "rebuild": Boise, SDSU, Fresno, UNLV, CSU with the last team being a coin flip, let's say Hawaii for the hell of it.

That would be $60 Million in poaching fees alone before exit fees, even if they settle with the MWC your still looking at $100+ Million. There is more money in FBS so I don't see any scenario where they go down to FCS.

I could see them rebuilding up to 12 teams or even 14 if it was finacially beneficial and though a few on here wouldn't be a fan I think it'd be a pretty solid looking Conference IMO:

SJSU, Nevada, USU, Wyoming, Air Force, New Mexico, *NMSU, *UTEP, *Montana, *MSU, *NDSU, *SDSU, *Sac State, *Idaho

Gives you 4 Pacific, 8 Mountain and 2 Central Timezone teams giving you a decent # of time slots, some good brand recognition and State Flagships (Top 4 FCS Programs) along with decent markets (Sacramento, El Paso). 

I think FCS would only happen if they find a way to poach 9 and dissolve the conference 

[utgrizfan]

On 8/26/2024 at 5:57 PM, Wyobraska said:

I think FCS would only happen if they find a way to poach 9 and dissolve the conference 

I think poaching 9 is alot harder then picking the best teams due to a few reasons but yes if 9 get poached the remainders (I know Nevada is one but the other 2 could be a few teams depending on specific arguments) would have to go C-USA, American or FCS (with FCS being the most likely).

[EvilPoke]

On 8/26/2024 at 5:57 PM, Wyobraska said:

I think FCS would only happen if they find a way to poach 9 and dissolve the conference 

This. 

The idea of dropping down is nonsense. It would be forced upon you because no one would take you - it wouldn't be voluntary.

You may have to put your other teams in WAC/big west/summit/WCC - but I'm guessing CUSA would take you for football no matter what - and probably all sports for most schools.

 

[EvilPoke]

On 8/26/2024 at 4:58 PM, utgrizfan said:

If the PAC2 rebuild with the top teams the remaining MWC schools could easily afford to rebuild with Big Sky and some CUSA schools due to exit fees and poaching penalties.

The top teams mentioned in a "rebuild": Boise, SDSU, Fresno, UNLV, CSU with the last team being a coin flip, let's say Hawaii for the hell of it.

That would be $60 Million in poaching fees alone before exit fees, even if they settle with the MWC your still looking at $100+ Million. There is more money in FBS so I don't see any scenario where they go down to FCS.

I could see them rebuilding up to 12 teams or even 14 if it was finacially beneficial and though a few on here wouldn't be a fan I think it'd be a pretty solid looking Conference IMO:

SJSU, Nevada, USU, Wyoming, Air Force, New Mexico, *NMSU, *UTEP, *Montana, *MSU, *NDSU, *SDSU, *Sac State, *Idaho

Gives you 4 Pacific, 8 Mountain and 2 Central Timezone teams giving you a decent # of time slots, some good brand recognition and State Flagships (Top 4 FCS Programs) along with decent markets (Sacramento, El Paso). 

If Air Force isn't in the MW, they'd go AAC, but I see your point.

The issue with teams coming up now is that you have to pay $5M - I don't know how many of those schools would make the jump now if they didn't already.

[Did I hear a WOOSH?]

On 8/24/2024 at 8:10 PM, BacksThePack said:

Syracuse would make sense if they were bringing in UConn as a travel partner I guess. and Louisville and Pitt. Going for the whole old Big East

Don’t think that’s the goal.  UConn is separate from their acc goals.  If they were leaning the way you suggest then you’d hear Duke’s name come up more, but they’re looking at southern football schools and maybe Louisville as a backup.

[WAC_FAN]

On 8/25/2024 at 7:37 PM, Wyobraska said:

Do you need UNLV though to have a nice piece of the Vegas market?  It's debatable 

Hawaii to B12!

[since1670]

Utah student allegedly said she would blow up nuclear reactor if Utes football team lost

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34641719/utah-student-allegedly-said-blow-nuclear-reactor-utes-football-team-lost

 

[Wyobraska]

Fox is reportedly not on board with UConn move since they own the Big East deal. 

https://awfulannouncing.com/fox/fox-opposes-uconn-joining-big-12.html

[Wyobraska]

On 8/26/2024 at 10:59 PM, since1670 said:

Utah student allegedly said she would blow up nuclear reactor if Utes football team lost

https://www.espn.com/college-football/story/_/id/34641719/utah-student-allegedly-said-blow-nuclear-reactor-utes-football-team-lost

 

I think we've all been there before.  

[CKS007]

On 8/26/2024 at 10:36 AM, wolf from 73 said:

 

WIlner Mailbag: Pac-12 and Mountain West face extension deadline, explaining Big Ten revenue splits, the Big Sky’s role and more

Jon WilnerPosted August 24, 2024 at 2:06 pm                                                                                                           the window to extend the deal expires on Sept. 1.

https://sports360az.com/wilner-mailbag-pac-12-and-mountain-west-face-extension-deadline-explaining-big-ten-revenue-splits-the-big-skys-role-and-more/

He's high if he thinks that MWC schools are going to voluntarily move down to the FCS Big Sky.  Dropping to FCS would mean losing a lot of money and prestige.  In the Utah sports media market, the Aggies are mentioned daily right next to the Utes and Cougars.  There is hardly any mention of FCS Weber State, Southern Utah and Utah Tech (unless they are playing one of the big three) and no mention of non-Football playing Utah Valley.  Since sports is the front porch of the university, FCS would be a death sentence.  

IF there is a raid on the Mountain West, the remaining schools will do everything to keep the auto-bid league alive.  If for some reason that isn't an option, I see the easternmost schools joining CUSA before looking at the Big Sky.  

But there will be some sort of Mountain West if there is a raid.  

[utgrizfan]

On 8/27/2024 at 3:47 PM, CKS007 said:

He's high if he thinks that MWC schools are going to voluntarily move down to the FCS Big Sky.  Dropping to FCS would mean losing a lot of money and prestige.  In the Utah sports media market, the Aggies are mentioned daily right next to the Utes and Cougars.  There is hardly any mention of FCS Weber State, Southern Utah and Utah Tech (unless they are playing one of the big three) and no mention of non-Football playing Utah Valley.  Since sports is the front porch of the university, FCS would be a death sentence.  

IF there is a raid on the Mountain West, the remaining schools will do everything to keep the auto-bid league alive.  If for some reason that isn't an option, I see the easternmost schools joining CUSA before looking at the Big Sky.  

But there will be some sort of Mountain West if there is a raid.  

Would depend on the servarity but due to the repeated reports of wanting a smaller regional Conference and 8 teams being the required number to keep the Conference alive at most 6 (50%) of the MWC would be poached. The remaining teams flush with cash could easily rebuild, even by covering the FCS move up fees.

[EvilPoke]

On 8/27/2024 at 6:41 PM, utgrizfan said:

Would depend on the servarity but due to the repeated reports of wanting a smaller regional Conference and 8 teams being the required number to keep the Conference alive at most 6 (50%) of the MWC would be poached. The remaining teams flush with cash could easily rebuild, even by covering the FCS move up fees.

Plus, this is assuming they can convince 6 teams to join them when:

1. The two teams are clamoring to be anywhere else and will bolt at a moments notice.

2. The super split is coming, and none of the 14 schools involved are going to be in the Super League.

3. You have to pay $18-$36M to join them? (and July 1, 2025 is 10 months away)

I'm guessing as always at the end of the day it will come down to TV money - but if the Pac-2 were big deals in the TV world, they wouldn't be where they are now.

 

[utgrizfan]

On 8/27/2024 at 7:30 PM, EvilPoke said:

Plus, this is assuming they can convince 6 teams to join them when:

1. The two teams are clamoring to be anywhere else and will bolt at a moments notice.

2. The super split is coming, and none of the 14 schools involved are going to be in the Super League.

3. You have to pay $18-$36M to join them? (and July 1, 2025 is 10 months away)

I'm guessing as always at the end of the day it will come down to TV money - but if the Pac-2 were big deals in the TV world, they wouldn't be where they are now.

 

As they've shown however logic doesn't seem to be their strong suit unless there is actually something behind the scenes we're not privy to. 

And as shown by SDSU they, along with im sure a few other G5 Teams, are thinking about being in the Conference to be considered the "Best of the Rest"

[415hawaiiboy]

MWC Forever!