Conference Realignment thread

[SteedLaw]

On 10/18/2024 at 9:35 AM, UofNPackFan said:

This is what you have heard from Tulane's, Memphis' and UTSA's  AD??? Damn I wish I were well connected like you.  

But seriously,  I thought i read somewhere that they all signed a binding Letter of agreement,  or Understanding or something like that.  Maybe it isn't binding, I tried looking before but couldn't find it anymore. 

It is not binding. They are still in talks with the PAC, particularly Memphis. 
 

UCONN is also still talking. 
 

But everyone wants to see the numbers first, which is why the PAC has put everything on hold until they are done with their media rights analysis with their partners. 

[Spaztecs]

On 10/18/2024 at 9:30 AM, Poster17 said:

And none of those move the needle to push them to an AQ status.   It will be a real good non-AQ conference though.

The MW never will be either.

 

What's your point ?

[Spaztecs]

On 10/18/2024 at 9:35 AM, UofNPackFan said:

This is what you have heard from Tulane's, Memphis' and UTSA's  AD??? Damn I wish I were well connected like you.  

But seriously,  I thought i read somewhere that they all signed a binding Letter of agreement,  or Understanding or something like that.  Maybe it isn't binding, I tried looking before but couldn't find it anymore. 

The published letter says nothing about a binding agreement. No terms, length of commitment or penalties. Unless there's another secret document they signed with finger pricks, they can leave as long as they pay the exit fees.

IMHO, the Pac will add a meh 8th member to get official by July 1, 2025. Memphis etal will join in 2027 when the exit fees come down.

[SanDiegoPoke]

On 10/18/2024 at 9:08 AM, Spaztecs said:

The MW never will be either.

 

What's your point ?

Time will tell, but let's just say, let's agree to disagree.

[CKS007]

On 10/17/2024 at 5:27 PM, agswin said:

not sure how this fella thinks all of this works.

It seems to me that the basic steps are:

1. Work to grow the NDSU fanbase/market.

2. Work to grow the TV interest/demand for NDSU

3. Work on the stuff that NDSU can control:

  - Size of NDSU Athletics Budget

  - Size of NDSU Endowment

  - Communicate those things to the MWC.

It seems like those things will get you further than begging on a MWC fan forum.

 

Begging is all the fans have.  I don't think the Dakotas really want to move up due to financial reasons.  Or perhaps they like being a big fish in a small pond like the Montana schools.  They didn't lift up the skirt when CUSA was desperate.  They are not in a good geographical location; they can't provide recruiting opportunities for students or athletes.  

IF, the Dakota schools were already FBS (or just completing the FBS probationary process like SHSU is) then I could see them being considered.  But moving up from just FCS now to the Mountain West?  Why take these remote schools when there are already FCS schools in high population areas like California or Texas expressing interest in moving up.

[Poster17]

On 10/18/2024 at 9:08 AM, Spaztecs said:

The MW never will be either.

 

What's your point ?

None.  Just that we all know that the PAC was hoping to get to AQ status, and I just don't see a way there for them.  Still pissed the PAC 2 just didn't join the MWC.   

[Spaztecs]

On 10/18/2024 at 11:34 AM, Poster17 said:

None.  Just that we all know that the PAC was hoping to get to AQ status, and I just don't see a way there for them.  Still pissed the PAC 2 just didn't join the MWC.   

No, they wanted a Conference where they could make more money. And, they will.

[Brew_Poke]

On 10/18/2024 at 9:24 AM, SteedLaw said:

Memphis, Tulane, and UTSA will join as soon as the PAC finishes its media rights analysis with its partners…expected in early January. 
 

Though, the brass ring is still USF and UCONN who MAY still join, but only if the three listed above join first. 

They signed binding grants of rights to the AAC.

[SteedLaw]

On 10/18/2024 at 1:20 PM, Brew_Poke said:

They signed binding grants of rights to the AAC.

 No, they did not.

[Brew_Poke]

On 10/18/2024 at 1:22 PM, SteedLaw said:

 No, they did not.

Are you saying the Monty Show is wrong?

[UofNPackFan]

On 10/18/2024 at 8:56 AM, SteedLaw said:

It is not binding. They are still in talks with the PAC, particularly Memphis. 
 

UCONN is also still talking. 
 

But everyone wants to see the numbers first, which is why the PAC has put everything on hold until they are done with their media rights analysis with their partners. 

Ah okay,  must have been one of those sites that spoke too early about the subject before getting facts.

[CKS007]

Information on the Mountain West talking with Sam Houston St.

https://twitter.com/TBM_JY/status/1847382173932044740

 

(well I thought that would embed)

[WarriorTyme]

It would be a heavy lift by the PAC12 to get a commitment from Memphis, Tulsa, UTSA or any AAC member. Yes, the Monty Show did say they signed a grant of rights with the AAC, hard to say how true it is. But Monty has inside information that proves to be true months sometimes years later. 

But the problem is the PAC12 is telling folks they have a $15 million TV deal in the works, but the valuation was estimated between $8-$10million. The math doesn't add up for the AAC schools they already get $8-9million per school and don't have to pay an extra $2million for travel coast to the West Coast. 

Both the PAC12 and MWC have similar estimated valuations and travel cost issues due to being on the West Coast for Central & Eastern Time Zones schools to sign up. Let's not forget that the B12 and B10 have a footprint in the West Coast due to the PAC 12 schools leaving in mass and that is sucking the media dollars away. 

The rumor is the NCAA and other FBS Conferences are asking the MWC and PAC12 not to add FCS schools due to watering down the FBS and the recent legal rulings on back paying NIL from 2016-2021 for the NCAA among other legal/financial reasons. 

Although Monty has said that Northern Illinois is very interested to move out of the MAC. I'm not convinced the MWC can pull both Northern Illinois and Toledo for football only. I could see the PAC-12 adding Texas State and/or Sam Houston or some other Non AAC FBS School to reach 8 or 9 football members. 

Reaching 9 Football playing members is ideal for scheduling reasons. The future of these 2 West Coast G5 Conferences will either have to merge or add Non-AAC schools in the central/eastern time zones with additional travel expenses. This has and has always been the problem for both the PAC12 and MWC.  

 

[UofMTigers]

On 10/18/2024 at 2:20 PM, Brew_Poke said:

They signed binding grants of rights to the AAC.

we have done no such thing...

EDIT: if we did we would expect more money from the TV deal and would be yelling about that into the wind to try and calm the fan base.

[PlayersinVegas]

On 10/18/2024 at 5:44 PM, CKS007 said:

Information on the Mountain West talking with Sam Houston St.

https://twitter.com/TBM_JY/status/1847382173932044740

 

(well I thought that would embed)

That's crazy lol getting rejected by Sam Houston

[UTEPDallas]

Sam Houston did the right thing. Good for them for not getting in this hot mess. 
 

Texas State and Sam Houston said no. Gloria will not get any FBS Texas Triangle school….the days of getting calls from TCU, SMU, Rice and Houston are long gone. If she really wants an FBS school in the Central Time zone that is familiar with Western football , Louisiana Tech might be interested. Or maybe not. 
 

Invite NMSU and call it a day. MWC football will be a joke regardless but at least basketball would be good. 

[SteedLaw]

On 10/19/2024 at 12:03 PM, UofMTigers said:

we have done no such thing...

EDIT: if we did we would expect more money from the TV deal and would be yelling about that into the wind to try and calm the fan base.

Yep.

The PAC's goal is pretty simple...

Next Steps:

1. After adding Boise, SDSU, Fresno, CSU, USU, and Gonzaga, work with their media partners to determine value and payout. Try to negotiate a higher number.
2. With new numbers in hand, reapproach Memphis and UConn as 8th and 9th full (football) members respectively.
3. Assuming Memphis and UCONN like the new numbers (and the new deal), solidify the deal with Memphis and UCONN and work to reapproach USF, Tulane, and UTSA -- in that order, in the attempt to get to 12 full (football) members and one non-football member (Gonzaga). 
   1. If any of the above do not fall, keep Sac State, Texas State, Tulsa, Army, North Texas, Navy, and Louisiana as backup plans. 
4. Hold the expansion line at 12 football teams and one non-football school and watch if and when the breakup of the ACC occurs. Start laying the seeds now for Cal, SMU, Wake Forest, and one other ACC member to join the Pac when the ACC implodes. 
5. Hold at least one more spot open long-term for UNLV when their GOR expires. Ideally, hold a sport open for at least UNLV and Air Force (maybe others). 

[UofMTigers]

On 10/19/2024 at 2:27 PM, SteedLaw said:

Yep.

The PAC's goal is pretty simple...

Next Steps:

1. After adding Boise, SDSU, Fresno, CSU, USU, and Gonzaga, work with their media partners to determine value and payout. Try to negotiate a higher number.
2. With new numbers in hand, reapproach Memphis and UConn as 8th and 9th full (football) members respectively.
3. Assuming Memphis and UCONN like the new numbers (and the new deal), solidify the deal with Memphis and UCONN and work to reapproach USF, Tulane, and UTSA -- in that order, in the attempt to get to 12 full (football) members and one non-football member (Gonzaga). 
   1. If any of the above do not fall, keep Sac State, Texas State, Tulsa, Army, North Texas, Navy, and Louisiana as backup plans. 
4. Hold the expansion line at 12 football teams and one non-football school and watch if and when the breakup of the ACC occurs. Start laying the seeds now for Cal, SMU, Wake Forest, and one other ACC member to join the Pac when the ACC implodes. 
5. Hold at least one more spot open long-term for UNLV when their GOR expires. Ideally, hold a sport open for at least UNLV and Air Force (maybe others). 

we want our buddy Tulane there...just sayin'

EDIT: I would like to see the PAC add Memphis, Tulane and Wichita State. (8 game game football conf schedule/20 game basketball conf schedule)

[Aztec Since 88]

Hopefully, Memphis and Tulane do decide to come to the nPAC.  I prefer 9 for football and 10 for hoops.  I am not a fan of 20 game  conference hoops schedules  I prefer a 16 or 18 game conference hoops schedule.  It gives you more flexibility in scheduling quality  OOC games.

[robe]

On 10/18/2024 at 11:28 AM, CKS007 said:

Begging is all the fans have.  I don't think the Dakotas really want to move up due to financial reasons.  Or perhaps they like being a big fish in a small pond like the Montana schools.  They didn't lift up the skirt when CUSA was desperate.  They are not in a good geographical location; they can't provide recruiting opportunities for students or athletes.  

IF, the Dakota schools were already FBS (or just completing the FBS probationary process like SHSU is) then I could see them being considered.  But moving up from just FCS now to the Mountain West?  Why take these remote schools when there are already FCS schools in high population areas like California or Texas expressing interest in moving up.

North Dakota is already a top 50 program. They would be competitive in the B12