Conference Realignment thread

[BoiseStateOfMind]

On 9/24/2024 at 9:13 PM, UofMTigers said:

UNLV, Memphis, USF, Tulane, and UTSA must all be crazy or maybe, just maybe...the Pac-12 came at us cheap with a weak offer.

I wouldn't be so quick to start touting the wisdom of schools like Memphis or USF who have been left behind over and over again but still won't do everything they possibly can to make sure it won't happen again.

[cardrater]

On 9/24/2024 at 3:23 PM, TrueAg said:

Yes, why would the PAC want the MWC school with the 4th highest TV viewership and 3rd highest conference revenue generated since joining in 2013? Makes no sense at all... The PAC was also told by TV media consultants that the numbers show that Utah State holds the same value as Memphis to a national audience and potential new television deal.

The facts are USU adds more value than everyone not named BSU and SDSU. 11 bowls in 13 years, more NCAA tourney appearances than any MWC school....we could go on but why let the facts cloud things?

Correction, the media consultants probably said Utah State was the next best bet  with its 53k average viewership…since it comes nowhere close to Memphis, which spurned the PAC. Hopefully that fact doesn’t cloud things either… 

 

look there is no doubt that USU was considered due to being a great basketball school and consistent in football since being in the MW, but you’re kidding yourself if you think the baggies bring just as much to the table as Memphis. Bragging about a sub 100 ranking nationally in viewership is just foolish. The MW sucks with viewership save for Colorado st and Boise. 

[fargobison]

On 9/24/2024 at 10:01 PM, EvilPoke said:

Are you ready to boost your athletic funding and facilities? (Serious question - not trying to be a Richard)

Sounds like we are prepared to boost the budget into the $40-45 million range. Facilities not entirely sure what we need to do there, a major renovation of the football stadium is on top of the our current admin's list. We just built a new IPF and renovated our basketball arena. We have done all of things we can do....cost of attendance we did right off the bat, alston payments, NIL...you name it we are doing it. 

[Did I hear a WOOSH?]

On 9/24/2024 at 3:39 PM, UofMTigers said:

apparantly Memphis was also trying for the Pac-12 football only and the BE for all other sports but the Pac-12 said no.

Pac-12 tried to play hard ball and it cost them Memphis, Tulane, USF, and UTSA.

You didn’t want that mess anyway.  You’re in a better spot.

[Did I hear a WOOSH?]

On 9/24/2024 at 4:10 PM, UofMTigers said:

Memphis would have taken the all sports offer if they would have tripled the tiny 2.5m towards exit fees and offered some kind of guarantee re the yearly payout other than the firm that got you to turn down 30m from ESPN

Where are you hearing that? I heard that Memphis was turned off by the pac pretty early-when they didn’t have a way of paying them.

[UofMTigers]

On 9/24/2024 at 11:36 PM, Did I hear a WOOSH? said:

Where are you hearing that? I heard that Memphis was turned off by the pac pretty early-when they didn’t have a way of paying them.

memphis board so it could be BS...many are upset.

[Did I hear a WOOSH?]

On 9/25/2024 at 12:37 AM, UofMTigers said:

memphis board so it could be BS...many are upset.

I hear you.  No telling.  I can certainly understand wanting to be part of the change.  I really think patience is the key here.  The aac still has the best infrastructure, despite losing many schools and not being what it used to be.  It’s the safest place until the acc unravels and you know the acc people are much better at this stuff than the pac remnants, who quite literally can’t do anything right.

[robe]

On 9/24/2024 at 2:54 PM, spc_ops said:

Why doesn't Hawaii kick-off games at 10 am Hawaii time? given daylight savings it would be ~4 pm Pacific time, primetime East Coast. Maybe no one on the east coast cares but it seems better than playing at 1 a.m. on the east coast. Plus teams traveling over there are still 6 hours + later so they could play at 10 am no problem. Hawaii could schedule more central and east coast teams OOC and get more eyeballs. Locals could tailgate breakfast, have an early game and still have their whole evenings free. just sayin

Networks like a late night filler game. BYU and Hawaii were probably their favorite teams to put in that slot early on. Now they use about everyone in the west. 

[BoiseStateOfMind]

On 9/25/2024 at 12:34 AM, Did I hear a WOOSH? said:

You didn’t want that mess anyway.  You’re in a better spot.

This rings hollow coming from someone whose school lucked out and got a golden ticket out of the AAC. I remember all the same things being said about the Big 12 when they invited UCF that are being said about the PAC now, but it didn't deter UCF from still pouncing on the opportunity to advance themselves.

Memphis, like Boise State, has never gotten anything but a swift kick to the nuts in realignment. They finally got an opportunity to climb the ladder and used short-term money as an excuse to turn it down when they have rich donors. It's unfortunate for the fans who were hoping for better games to attend.

[UofMTigers]

On 9/25/2024 at 8:47 AM, BoiseStateOfMind said:

This rings hollow coming from someone whose school lucked out and got a golden ticket out of the AAC. I remember all the same things being said about the Big 12 when they invited UCF that are being said about the PAC now, but it didn't deter UCF from still pouncing on the opportunity to advance themselves.

Memphis, like Boise State, has never gotten anything but a swift kick to the nuts in realignment. They finally got an opportunity to climb the ladder and used short-term money as an excuse to turn it down when they have rich donors. It's unfortunate for the fans who were hoping for better games to attend.

It's very unfortunate Teresa Gould went all 'clown shoes' with the offer to Memphis, Tulane, and USF essentially wasting our time.

[415hawaiiboy]

On 9/25/2024 at 6:57 AM, UofMTigers said:

It's very unfortunate Teresa Gould went all 'clown shoes' with the offer to Memphis, Tulane, and USF essentially wasting our time.

Seems like everyone has no money. The PAC, the MWC, UNLV…

[BoiseStateOfMind]

On 9/25/2024 at 9:57 AM, UofMTigers said:

It's very unfortunate Teresa Gould went all 'clown shoes' with the offer to Memphis, Tulane, and USF essentially wasting our time.

Surely that exit fee could have been negotiated down just like it was for Houston, UCF, Cincinnati, and SMU. And did Memphis, Tulane and USF even try to make a counter-offer or did they just throw up their hands and walk away? Furthermore, whose fault is it that those schools agreed to such a punitive exit fee in the first place? Not the PAC's.

I agree that the PAC should have offered more if it's true that they were cheaping out, but this one-sided narrative that places all blame on the PAC sure is convenient for these schools who have decided to stay in a conference that none of their fans/alums are excited about.

[UofMTigers]

the Pac-12 are making the same mistakes that lead to the first break-up...they overvalue themselves.

[415hawaiiboy]

On 9/24/2024 at 11:53 PM, robe said:

Networks like a late night filler game. BYU and Hawaii were probably their favorite teams to put in that slot early on. Now they use about everyone in the west. 

That was when there was only ESPN and ESPN2.  The big CBS, NBC’s of the world had their Saturday Late Night comedy shows.

Today, there’s more channels.  And there will be even more showing live sports.  
 

In that situation, a more crowded line up, you want segmentation / differentiation.  Late night. Gamblers.  Mormons.  Whatever.  

[UofMTigers]

On 9/25/2024 at 9:20 AM, BoiseStateOfMind said:

Surely that exit fee could have been negotiated down just like it was for Houston, UCF, Cincinnati, and SMU. And did Memphis, Tulane and USF even try to make a counter-offer or did they just throw up their hands and walk away? Furthermore, whose fault is it that those schools agreed to such a punitive exit fee in the first place? Not the PAC's.

I agree that the PAC should have offered more if it's true that they were cheaping out, but this one-sided narrative that places all blame on the PAC sure is convenient for Memphis, Tulane and USF to keep their fans/alums from getting pissed off at them.

a general rule should be if you make an offer to 6 picks and only the last emergency pick says yes then you have not made a good offer and should rethink your strategy. Memphis, Tulane, USF, and UTSA aren't all stupid...

[BoiseStateOfMind]

On 9/25/2024 at 10:24 AM, UofMTigers said:

a general rule should be if you make an offer to 6 picks and only the last emergency pick says yes then you have not made a good offer and should rethink your strategy. Memphis, Tulane, USF, and UTSA aren't all stupid...

I don't disagree that the PAC needs to rethink its strategy, but so do Memphis, USF, and Tulane. Their current strategy has only gotten them left behind by all their former peers. Sitting around and waiting for the perfect situation where they don't have to negotiate anything, spend too much money, or travel too far will do nothing but set them back further.

I hope both sides eventually come back to the table and work something out.

[UofMTigers]

On 9/25/2024 at 9:41 AM, BoiseStateOfMind said:

I don't disagree that the PAC needs to rethink its strategy, but so do Memphis, USF, and Tulane. Their current strategy has only gotten them left behind by all their former peers. Sitting around and waiting for the perfect situation where they don't have to negotiate anything, spend too much money, or travel too far will do nothing but set them back further.

I hope both sides eventually come back to the table and work something out.

I was about to say I wish the Pac would sit back down with Memphis, Tulane, and even USF plus someone from Fox/CW to talk real numbers and make a new offer to us. (leave the Navigate folks at home)

[CAM THE RAM]

On 9/25/2024 at 8:47 AM, UofMTigers said:

I was about to say I wish the Pac would sit back down with Memphis, Tulane, and even USF plus someone from Fox/CW to talk real numbers and make a new offer to us. (leave the Navigate folks at home)

It's a possibility that these conversations are still taking place. I think the Pac-12's main goal is to get to 8 teams ASAP. But there is plenty of time to figure out the next steps. 

[Rebels2k3]

Ross Dellenger on X: "An update on the *other* UNLV story, as the school deliberates on a conference decision: Mountain West is offering a new version of a membership agreement to its seven programs with sizable signing bonuses, sources tell @YahooSports. The agreements are only binding if all sign." / X

Pete Thamel on X: "Sources: UNLV officials are still analyzing the school’s conference future, as they are expected to make a choice between the Mountain West and the Pac-12 in the upcoming days. A change of conference requires Nevada System of Higher Education Board Approval." / X

[Dirtball]

On 9/25/2024 at 7:24 AM, UofMTigers said:

a general rule should be if you make an offer to 6 picks and only the last emergency pick says yes then you have not made a good offer and should rethink your strategy. Memphis, Tulane, USF, and UTSA aren't all stupid...

I always assumed the P2 would offer up to 11 million towards exit fees, as that was the poaching fee from the MWC. However, it turns out the P2 never intended to pay the poaching fee.