Conference Realignment thread

[cardrater]

On 9/26/2024 at 6:37 PM, UofMTigers said:

there was also a lot of 'come back and make me an offer we can't refuse' to those comments...

Yup. To other conferences. PAC looked stupid and lowballed doubt they will be able to make amends. Definitely sounds like Memphis is open to offers and that they’re looking to put themselves in the best position as possible. Reassuring fans that Memphis is always on the lookout for better opportunities. PAC 12 had Potential too, but they screwed the pooch. ACC is my next bet. Even if it’s a couple years down the road.

[Did I hear a WOOSH?]

On 9/27/2024 at 12:37 AM, UofMTigers said:

there was also a lot of 'come back and make me an offer we can't refuse' to those comments...

There was some soothsaying in there for sure, wanted to show that he connected with what the fans wanted emotionally.  But let’s be real, if there were any numbers that were remotely possible or practical the aac schools wouldn’t have rebuffed the pac so quickly, it was a matter of hours.  They would’ve kept quiet and worked quietly behind the scenes, instead the AD came out and said basically they have no deal to offer, just want us to join on the prospect that there’ll be revenue one day but not today.  This isn’t a matter of ‘well increase your buyout support from $2.5 to $10m then we’ll come’, it didn’t even get to that point.  

[Someone Else]

5 hours ago, Did I hear a WOOSH? said:

There was some soothsaying in there for sure, wanted to show that he connected with what the fans wanted emotionally.  But let’s be real, if there were any numbers that were remotely possible or practical the aac schools wouldn’t have rebuffed the pac so quickly, it was a matter of hours.  They would’ve kept quiet and worked quietly behind the scenes, instead the AD came out and said basically they have no deal to offer, just want us to join on the prospect that there’ll be revenue one day but not today.  This isn’t a matter of ‘well increase your buyout support from $2.5 to $10m then we’ll come’, it didn’t even get to that point.  

The truth is you don't know any more than anyone else what "point" it got to.

[thespywhozaggedme]

On 9/26/2024 at 8:31 PM, UofMTigers said:

he spoke on that as well. I'm glad we hired him as (Dr.) Ed's smart, articulate, and not from the Memphis area (east coast, we got him from UVA) so he makes business decisions not emotional decisions. I think we're lucky to have him.

https://x.com/munzly/status/1839403822562922929

I was shocked at his near transparency. He basically said, “come back with a better offer and we’re gone”.

[thespywhozaggedme]

On 9/26/2024 at 11:25 PM, Did I hear a WOOSH? said:

He basically said the same thing we talked about earlier: emotionally I understand the desire but practically it doesn’t make sense.

That’s not what he said at all.

[BoiseStateOfMind]

On 9/26/2024 at 11:29 PM, Did I hear a WOOSH? said:

NIU has been the most successful college football program in Illinois for a long time.  

That's not really saying much when the competition is Illinois and Northwestern. NIU has also still fallen off quite a bit since the Chandler Harnish/Jordan Lynch years when you could pencil them in for at least 11 wins every year. In the 2020s, they've gone 0-6, 9-5, 3-9, 7-6.

[BoiseStateOfMind]

On 9/26/2024 at 9:08 PM, Gonzagafan2021 said:

So can we all still blame Craig Thompson for not expanding back in 2021? Had they taken some CUSA and AAC Schools like this wouldn't have happened. I heard Rice, North Texas, and SMU were interested at the time. 

Not just 2021. The MWC was always either too slow to act or too complacent with standing pat for its entire existence. I think history has proven that doing nothing while every other conference is making moves is not a winning strategy. Couple that with always being a day late and a dollar short on the moves they did make and it's no surprise that things turned out this way for the MWC.

[BoiseStateOfMind]

On 9/27/2024 at 2:33 AM, cardrater said:

Yup. To other conferences. PAC looked stupid and lowballed doubt they will be able to make amends. Definitely sounds like Memphis is open to offers and that they’re looking to put themselves in the best position as possible. Reassuring fans that Memphis is always on the lookout for better opportunities. PAC 12 had Potential too, but they screwed the pooch. ACC is my next bet. Even if it’s a couple years down the road.

I would be very surprised if the Calford snobs even allow Memphis' name to make the list for consideration.

[wolf from 73]

On 9/27/2024 at 9:03 AM, BoiseStateOfMind said:

Not just 2021. The MWC was always either too slow to act or too complacent with standing pat for its entire existence. I think history has proven that doing nothing while every other conference is making moves is not a winning strategy. Couple that with always being a day late and a dollar short on the moves they did make and it's no surprise that things turned out this way for the MWC.

I agree with what you said but there's a new sheriff in town and she will kick --s and take no prisoners.

[Poster17]

On 9/27/2024 at 9:03 AM, BoiseStateOfMind said:

Not just 2021. The MWC was always either too slow to act or too complacent with standing pat for its entire existence. I think history has proven that doing nothing while every other conference is making moves is not a winning strategy. Couple that with always being a day late and a dollar short on the moves they did make and it's no surprise that things turned out this way for the MWC.

It turned out this way because of one thing and one thing only.............ego.  Schools let ego and perception get in the way of what the right thing to do was.  Now here we are.  Instead of creating the best non-P4 conference in the nation, now the MWC and PAC STATE have let the AAC take control of that.   All because some schools want to wear a shield that says PAC, but is nothing like the OG PAC.   This is like going to see Dead & Company and claiming you saw the Grateful Dead.   Or saying you saw Alice in Chains without Layne Stanley.  It just ain't the same.  Nowhere near the same.   Ego is why things turned out the way they did.

[WAC_FAN]

On 9/27/2024 at 11:03 AM, BoiseStateOfMind said:

Not just 2021. The MWC was always either too slow to act or too complacent with standing pat for its entire existence. I think history has proven that doing nothing while every other conference is making moves is not a winning strategy. Couple that with always being a day late and a dollar short on the moves they did make and it's no surprise that things turned out this way for the MWC.

Right, so then they played hardball and tried to force OSU and WSU's hand this time--and that didn't quite work out either.

Today's MWC is/was mostly WAC teams and I think they have been more pro-active.

[SteedLaw]

On 9/27/2024 at 7:41 AM, thespywhozaggedme said:

I was shocked at his near transparency. He basically said, “come back with a better offer and we’re gone”.

Here, let me translate...

"We actually are very interested in joining the new look Pac-12. But, stop dating all the hot chicks in the AAC and just date us for a bit. Chances are, if you commit to us first, we will commit to you."

Memphis will be in the PAC-12 before the end of the month. 

[SteedLaw]

On 9/27/2024 at 10:21 AM, Poster17 said:

It turned out this way because of one thing and one thing only.............ego.  Schools let ego and perception get in the way of what the right thing to do was.  Now here we are.  Instead of creating the best non-P4 conference in the nation, now the MWC and PAC STATE have let the AAC take control of that.   All because some schools want to wear a shield that says PAC, but is nothing like the OG PAC.   This is like going to see Dead & Company and claiming you saw the Grateful Dead.   Or saying you saw Alice in Chains without Layne Stanley.  It just ain't the same.  Nowhere near the same.   Ego is why things turned out the way they did.

Ego swings both ways...

It was also UNLV and AFA's ego that is keeping the MWC alive, even though it is officially now WAC/CUSA 2.0 -- or will be shortly.

UNLV/AFA wanted to be the kings of the castle in a smaller pond than join a conference for equals (or their betters). And, there is ample collateral damage there.

So, yeah, kind of swings both ways just saying. 

[lakesbison]

NDSU Bison Football Fans | Facebook

when NDSU comes you better all bow down!

[utaggies]

On 9/27/2024 at 10:21 AM, Poster17 said:

It turned out this way because of one thing and one thing only.............ego.  Schools let ego and perception get in the way of what the right thing to do was.  Now here we are.  Instead of creating the best non-P4 conference in the nation, now the MWC and PAC STATE have let the AAC take control of that.   All because some schools want to wear a shield that says PAC, but is nothing like the OG PAC.   This is like going to see Dead & Company and claiming you saw the Grateful Dead.   Or saying you saw Alice in Chains without Layne Stanley.  It just ain't the same.  Nowhere near the same.   Ego is why things turned out the way they did.

Before there was the PAC2 ego there was the MWC hubris. The PAC’s scheduling agreement with the MWC for 2024 was for $14 million. For the same number of games in 2025 the MWC wanted $30 million. Why? Because it wanted to force the PAC into a corner and accept a reverse merger. The PAC was unwilling to pay that amount and soon the MWC4 had agreed to join the PAC12. 
 

Perhaps a merger may still occur and include the invitation of four AAC schools to form two 9-team divisions. But the only way that occurs is to satisfy the better teams in such a conference by implementing a relegation system so that the best teams play each other in the top dvision and so that the better teams are guaranteed a bigger slice of the pie.

 

Good luck in working that arrangement out. Absent that the PAC12 will up its ante to Memphis and if that fails simply add a filler school to get to 8 teams and then wait a few years until the best teams of the PAC, MWC and AAC merge.

[Motown Monty]

On 9/27/2024 at 9:05 AM, BoiseStateOfMind said:

I would be very surprised if the Calford snobs even allow Memphis' name to make the list for consideration.

They need to add someone--- they need 8 schools.

[Poster17]

On 9/27/2024 at 10:12 AM, SteedLaw said:

Ego swings both ways...

It was also UNLV and AFA's ego that is keeping the MWC alive, even though it is officially now WAC/CUSA 2.0 -- or will be shortly.

UNLV/AFA wanted to be the kings of the castle in a smaller pond than join a conference for equals (or their betters). And, there is ample collateral damage there.

So, yeah, kind of swings both ways just saying. 

OK.......so it was UNLV and AFA ego that led to your school leaving the MWC?  Come on.  We were all in a conference of equals.   This isn't a both ways thing.  Don't even try to compare the two.  Just accept what you did and move on.  I ain't mad.  You shouldn't be mad.  Your school is where it wants to be.  So is ours, but the egos of some has caused this situation whether you want to admit it or not. 

[Poster17]

On 9/27/2024 at 10:24 AM, utaggies said:

Before there was the PAC2 ego there was the MWC hubris. The PAC’s scheduling agreement with the MWC for 2024 was for $14 million. For the same number of games in 2025 the MWC wanted $30 million. Why? Because it wanted to force the PAC into a corner and accept a reverse merger. The PAC was unwilling to pay that amount and soon the MWC4 had agreed to join the PAC12. 
 

Perhaps a merger may still occur and include the invitation of four AAC schools to form two 9-team divisions. But the only way that occurs is to satisfy the better teams in such a conference by implementing a relegation system so that the best teams play each other in the top dvision and so that the better teams are guaranteed a bigger slice of the pie.

 

Good luck in working that arrangement out. Absent that the PAC12 will up its ante to Memphis and if that fails simply add a filler school to get to 8 teams and then wait a few years until the best teams of the PAC, MWC and AAC merge.

Yeah......so instead the PAC2 blew it all up.  That is where a merger now would have benefited all of us minus the AAC.  The PAC2 and MWC would have put us as the strongest non P4 conference, now that belongs to the AAC.  It was short sighted by the PAC2 to not merge, and this all happened because of their ego.  

[utaggies]

On 9/27/2024 at 1:03 PM, Poster17 said:

Yeah......so instead the PAC2 blew it all up.  That is where a merger now would have benefited all of us minus the AAC.  The PAC2 and MWC would have put us as the strongest non P4 conference, now that belongs to the AAC.  It was short sighted by the PAC2 to not merge, and this all happened because of their ego.  

You are right about the ego of the PAC2. It was also ego and the prospect of increased $ and visibility that drove the MWC5 to the PAC12. But it’s also ego that caused the MWC to give millions to the AFA and UNLV to stay put. How is that a matter of ego, you ask? Because the other MWC members don’t want to be saddled with the likes of UTEP, NMS, SUU, and Sacramento St. in the same conference. That would make the MWC into just another CUSA or Sun Belt conference. It’s not that the MWC wouldn’t survive it’s that it wants to retain its stature.

 

No one is to blame in this whole mess unless it’s the whole of college athletics pursuing the mighty $ and the trappings that come with it.

[MWC]

On 9/27/2024 at 12:38 PM, utaggies said:

You are right about the ego of the PAC2. It was also ego and the prospect of increased $ and visibility that drove the MWC5 to the PAC12. But it’s also ego that caused the MWC to give millions to the AFA and UNLV to stay put. How is that a matter of ego, you ask? Because the other MWC members don’t want to be saddled with the likes of UTEP, NMS, SUU, and Sacramento St. in the same conference. That would make the MWC into just another CUSA or Sun Belt conference. It’s not that the MWC wouldn’t survive it’s that it wants to retain its stature.

 

No one is to blame in this whole mess unless it’s the whole of college athletics pursuing the mighty $ and the trappings that come with it.

^^^^

This