Conference Realignment thread

[lakesbison]

nah MWC is scared of NDSU being top dog Day 1.   its so obvious.

NDSU should be eyeing the PAC12 and BIG 12 , but I am trying to be realistic and stick with the mountain west.

[agswin]

in my experience, internet message board content has precious little to do with who gets selected to step up.

I believe, in truth, it is a mix of the following;

1. Growth of the Population and Active Fanbase - If it is there, bigger conferences will find you.

2. Documented Institutional Growth and Financial Success - Again, if it is there, bigger conferences will find you.

3. Solid track record of Institutional Investment in the future and Commitment to Athletics over time.

I would get laser focused on those things. 

I doubt the MWC is holding you back or keeping you down because they are scared.

And please let us know how it turns out when you make your charge at the Big 12.

 

[alum93]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:31 PM, agswin said:

in my experience, internet message board content has precious little to do with who gets selected to step up.

I believe it is a mix of the following;

1. Growth of the Population and Active Fanbase - If it is there, bigger conferences will find you.

2. Documented Institutional Growth and Financial Success - Again, if it is there, bigger conferences will find you.

3. Solid track record of Institutional Investment in the future and Commitment to Athletics over time.

I would get laser focused on those things. 

I doubt the MWC is holding you back or keeping you down because they are scared.

 

This guy agrees with you from 2 hours ago :-)  

I believe a few things are driving the PAC group.

1. Finances - Each of the PAC invitee have demonstrated superior financing and finances over the past several years due to Bowl money, NCAA Tournament $$ credits, and private fundraising efforts.

2. Population Base and Growth - Each of the Pac Invitees has demonstrated potential for a superior fanbase and superior competitive potential based on performance over the past decade within the the conference, outside of the conference and on the nation stage (Bowl Games and NCAA tournament games, and market,  The PAC invitees are also in areas of significant forecasted population growth.

3. Institutional Commitment and Investment.  In my view, it appears that each of the invitees has invested or are committed to invest substantially in Facilities, Sports Programs, Strength & Nutrition, etc.  This area of Institutional Investment and Commitment might be the biggest differentiator of all.

[agswin]

So why the same old question? 8)

Lake Bison has been asking where the invite to the MWC is for years.

Assuming he sincerely wants to see the Bison get there, those were my suggestions.

He and you can ignore my feedback for all I care.  It is no skin off my back.

 

[alum93]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:59 PM, agswin said:

So why the same old question? 8)

Lake Bison has been asking where the invite to the MWC is for years.

Assuming he sincerely wants to see the Bison get there, those were my suggestions.

He and you can ignore my feedback for all I care.  It is no skin off my back.

 

Ease up Francis.  It was a joke.  You can post a thousand times and it wouldn't bother me.

[utgrizfan]

On 10/1/2024 at 11:47 AM, Brew_Poke said:

Then it's a good thing you're not in charge.

Enjoy Tarleton State  seriously if the MWC is stupid enough to target Tarleton as an FCS option then good riddance. I thought you guys were being smart when it comes to Realignment, if true I was very wrong.

[nvspuds]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:18 PM, utgrizfan said:

Enjoy Tarleton State  seriously if the MWC is stupid enough to target Tarleton as an FCS option then good riddance. I thought you guys were being smart when it comes to Realignment, if true I was very wrong.

The MW is talking to lots of schools about lots of things..So is the Pac and so is the AAC.  The Belt and CUSA are looking around too..Why aren't you pumping the Montana schools to the Pac?  

[alum93]

On 10/1/2024 at 2:36 PM, nvspuds said:

The MW is talking to lots of schools about lots of things..So is the Pac and so is the AAC.  The Belt and CUSA are looking around too..Why aren't you pumping the Montana schools to the Pac?  

Who is the AAC talking to for expansion?  Right now the PAC and MWC sit at 7 football members.  Texas State and Tarleton State are the 2 names i have seen for MWC.  I have not seen NMSU so i assume they are out.  CUSA will need to replace UTEP, most likely with a Texas FCS school after MWC makes their decision.  Haven't heard anything new on PAC and Memphis, but i would assume that is the next play with a real offer the second time around.  Am i missing anything from last 24 hours?  And no NDSU or Montana in the mix, at least that i have seen.

[nvspuds]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:44 PM, alum93 said:

Who is the AAC talking to for expansion?  Right now the PAC and MWC sit at 7 football members.  Texas State and Tarleton State are the 2 names i have seen for MWC.  I have not seen NMSU so i assume they are out.  CUSA will need to replace UTEP, most likely with a Texas FCS school after MWC makes their decision.  Haven't heard anything new on PAC and Memphis, but i would assume that is the next play with a real offer the second time around.  Am i missing anything from last 24 hours?  And no NDSU or Montana in the mix, at least that i have seen.

Texas State would certainly be interested in the AAC. Lots of neighboring Texas schools in the AAC..They might be interested in them too.  It is fluid..We don't know most of what is going on.  And we won't for awhile..

[utgrizfan]

On 10/1/2024 at 2:36 PM, nvspuds said:

The MW is talking to lots of schools about lots of things..So is the Pac and so is the AAC.  The Belt and CUSA are looking around too..Why aren't you pumping the Montana schools to the Pac?  

I'd love for the Montana schools to go the PAC as well, however we have much more in common with Wyoming then any other MWC program and if the PAC wants nothing to do with Wyoming then the chances the PAC wants us is even slimmer. But seriously Tarleton State?

[alum93]

On 10/1/2024 at 3:03 PM, utgrizfan said:

I'd love for the Montana schools to go the PAC as well, however we have much more in common with Wyoming then any other MWC program and if the PAC wants nothing to do with Wyoming then the chances the PAC wants us is even slimmer. But seriously Tarleton State?

I don't like it, but realignment is being driven by what adds value for the next cable contract, not what locals think about a rivalry.  Someone has to be telling the MWC that Tarleton has value.  It sits between Dallas and Austin where there are millions of people.  That's the only reason it would possibly make sense.  Otherwise, yeah, a school like Montana with their facilities and FCS history makes way more sense given the MWC footprint.  NMSU is in a similar boat from a population standpoint.  LC has 110k with EP just down the road at 700k and a 50k stadium.  NMSU crowds would dwarf anything Tarleton could bring to schools like UNM and UTEP, but they aren't in the running.  Eyeballs for watching on cable just aren't there.  Fortunately, we have always played and will continue to play both UNM and UTEP in multiple sports, including football and basketball.  I am a bit puzzled why no talk of NDSU, not even a hint.  Not trying to make fun of Bison dude, but i would think there would at least be some rumblings of meetings.  Nada that i have heard.  And if AAC schools stand firm, PAC is going to end up adding a smaller school just to get to 8.  Just think, Texas State, a school no one has ever talked about on these forums, could be in play for either MWC or PAC.  Crazy.

[utaggies]

On 10/1/2024 at 10:44 AM, CAM THE RAM said:

I meant UNLV joins the Pac-12 after 2032.  I'm sure the penalties would be stiff to for UNLV to leave the MWC. I think the agreement expires after 2032. 

The GOR expires after 2032 but the media agreement expires in the summer of 2026. To forfeit media payments after 2026 should be no big deal as the agreement will likely be far less than the current $5 miilion/team with the departue of the MWC cream. Exit fees will still be on the table but the poaching fees will not.

[Laconian]

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5809686/2024/10/01/college-football-super-league-student/

[YesReally]

On 10/1/2024 at 3:19 PM, utaggies said:

The GOR expires after 2032 but the media agreement expires in the summer of 2026. To forfeit media payments after 2026 should be no big deal as the agreement will likely be far less than the current $5 miilion/team with the departue of the MWC cream. Exit fees will still be on the table but the poaching fees will not.

How have the media people holding mwc contract not come back to MWC and said without BSU football and then SDSU, we should not pay the same.   We will not get the same advertisers paying.

[Laconian]

UConn says it's not going to the PAC.

https://www.courant.com/2024/10/01/source-uconn-wont-join-pac-12-doesnt-consider-conference-the-right-fit/

[utgrizfan]

Texas State not going to the MWC

 

[MWC TX]

On 10/1/2024 at 6:19 PM, utgrizfan said:

Texas State not going to the MWC

 

Guess Tarleton St was the backup.

[EvilPoke]

On 10/1/2024 at 1:01 PM, lakesbison said:

NDSU would raise $50 million in 3 phone calls.   we aren't POOR.    the MWC is just afraid to ADD NDSU because they would be TOP DOGS Day 1 in every single MWC sport... period.

Serious question - does NDSU want to move up? 

[EvilPoke]

On 10/1/2024 at 4:47 PM, Laconian said:

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/5809686/2024/10/01/college-football-super-league-student/

They left off the military academies, but otherwise I'm down!

[fargobison]

On 10/1/2024 at 8:07 PM, EvilPoke said:

Serious question - does NDSU want to move up? 

NDSU absolutely wants to move up, I do think there was a time when that wasn't the case and NDSU was happy with the FCS but the current makeup of the FCS along with getting a new university president has seemed to change things in a big way. The FCS is a shell of what it was just 10 years ago, we enjoyed playing against JMU, Geogia Southern, Sam Houston, Coastal Carolina and Jacksonville State in the FCS playoffs, the level of competition was a big deal for the fanbase and now that the FCS has become basically the Missouri Valley vs the Big Sky we are are ready to move on.