Texas State "heavy favorite" to join Pac-12, LaTech favored to join Sun Belt

[BambooRdApp]

vI am also assuming that being there is good if we are in same division with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc.

If we are going to maintain the division format and it would make things more compact , less travel expense. However MTSU opens up another state for TV market, as does WKU. I have no confidence in Gill , slightly more in the presidents/ chancellors.

Agree with you. I actually wanted to stay in SBC 5 years ago but now I feel like the AAC or Pac-12 is a better place for us for the reason you have on Gill. I am to the point where I either hope AAC and Sun Belt elite schools form a new league or the top schools in both form an east division in Pac-12. I would be okay with going to AAC but the Pac-12 would give us a national conference where we would be in homes of every time zone during the year.

I hate the idea of playing in a conference so spread out, we don't do well traveling west of the Mississippi River. I like the footprint of the SunBelt but I agree that Gill is not an impressive leader at all.

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

The "new PAC 12" could potentially give teams that do not have a good TV deal a better one. It may not be as good as even the old PAC 12...but maybe better than one game on national TV. That's about all we getting right now.

[AppStFan1]

vI am also assuming that being there is good if we are in same division with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc.

If we are going to maintain the division format and it would make things more compact , less travel expense. However MTSU opens up another state for TV market, as does WKU. I have no confidence in Gill , slightly more in the presidents/ chancellors.

Agree with you. I actually wanted to stay in SBC 5 years ago but now I feel like the AAC or Pac-12 is a better place for us for the reason you have on Gill. I am to the point where I either hope AAC and Sun Belt elite schools form a new league or the top schools in both form an east division in Pac-12. I would be okay with going to AAC but the Pac-12 would give us a national conference where we would be in homes of every time zone during the year.

I hate the idea of playing in a conference so spread out, we don't do well traveling west of the Mississippi River. I like the footprint of the SunBelt but I agree that Gill is not an impressive leader at all.

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

[AppSt94]

vI am also assuming that being there is good if we are in same division with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc.

Agree with you. I actually wanted to stay in SBC 5 years ago but now I feel like the AAC or Pac-12 is a better place for us for the reason you have on Gill. I am to the point where I either hope AAC and Sun Belt elite schools form a new league or the top schools in both form an east division in Pac-12. I would be okay with going to AAC but the Pac-12 would give us a national conference where we would be in homes of every time zone during the year.

I hate the idea of playing in a conference so spread out, we don't do well traveling west of the Mississippi River. I like the footprint of the SunBelt but I agree that Gill is not an impressive leader at all.

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

[ah59396]

vI am also assuming that being there is good if we are in same division with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc.


I hate the idea of playing in a conference so spread out, we don't do well traveling west of the Mississippi River. I like the footprint of the SunBelt but I agree that Gill is not an impressive leader at all.

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

Didn’t the PAC get like $70m from the settlement fallout? Still feel it’s unlikely Memphis or Tulane go but I do think the conference has the money to make it happen if they thought the brands were strong enough (I don’t think they are).

[BallantyneApp]

vI am also assuming that being there is good if we are in same division with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc.


I hate the idea of playing in a conference so spread out, we don't do well traveling west of the Mississippi River. I like the footprint of the SunBelt but I agree that Gill is not an impressive leader at all.

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

It’s not $25MM

It’s $10MM with 27 months notice

Ucf/uconn/cincy/Houston negotiated between $17-18MM with like 12 months notice

Smu paid $25MM to get out with less than 12 months notice because oil

[beav910]

Time to see what the miscreants over on boneyard banter have to say about this

[AppSt94]

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

It’s not $25MM

It’s $10MM with 27 months notice

Ucf/uconn/cincy/Houston negotiated between $17-18MM with like 12 months notice

Smu paid $25MM to get out with less than 12 months notice because oil

Thanks. I was going off this in the article. “ The league's goal was to add schools from the AAC, but Tulane had little interest and an initial courtship to add Memphis hit a hard stop because of finances. The exit fee to leave the AAC prior to the 27-month mark was estimated around $25 million. The Pac-12 offered only about $2.5 million to help with the buyout, which was rejected.”

I still don’t think that $17-$18 million is worth the squeeze.

[Stonewall]

EZU is holding out for the ACC.

[BallantyneApp]

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

It’s not $25MM

It’s $10MM with 27 months notice

Ucf/uconn/cincy/Houston negotiated between $17-18MM with like 12 months notice

Smu paid $25MM to get out with less than 12 months notice because oil

Thanks. I was going off this in the article. “ The league's goal was to add schools from the AAC, but Tulane had little interest and an initial courtship to add Memphis hit a hard stop because of finances. The exit fee to leave the AAC prior to the 27-month mark was estimated around $25 million. The Pac-12 offered only about $2.5 million to help with the buyout, which was rejected.”

I still don’t think that $17-$18 million is worth the squeeze.

Memphis admins appear to agree

[AppStFan1]

vI am also assuming that being there is good if we are in same division with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc.


I hate the idea of playing in a conference so spread out, we don't do well traveling west of the Mississippi River. I like the footprint of the SunBelt but I agree that Gill is not an impressive leader at all.

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

That would be the only way I would want to do something there. I just don't see Tulane or Memphis going there by themselves. If the buyout is too high for too long, never dropping, then we either stay where we are or hope to get an invite. Do we know those schools could simply not pay the buyout?

[JTApps1]

Thoughts on App joining the AAC if they have a few spots open up? I don't see their members coming this way with the large exit fees.

[AppSt94]

I typically agree with you but I have several reasons that make me say I am okay with the Pac-12 as long as there is a strong east division, assuming that Memphis, Tulane, and ECU are part of it.

My reasons are:

1. Has a good brand name overall.
2. The TV deal would mean more money.
3. No confidence in Gill.
4. Outside of those 3 mentioned I would also want to be aligned with at least 3 of Marshall, JMU, ODU, Troy, UAB, and USF if we can.
5. National conference that puts us in households all over the country regularly but having a strong east division means we stay in current SBC footprint for most part.

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

That would be the only way I would want to do something there. I just don't see Tulane or Memphis going there by themselves. If the buyout is too high for too long, never dropping, then we either stay where we are or hope to get an invite. Do we know those schools could simply not pay the buyout?

See above.

[AppStFan1]

Maybe I’m wrong, but I thought “lack of” a lucrative tv deal played a big part in the PAC all but disbanding?…

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

That would be the only way I would want to do something there. I just don't see Tulane or Memphis going there by themselves. If the buyout is too high for too long, never dropping, then we either stay where we are or hope to get an invite. Do we know those schools could simply not pay the buyout?

See above.

I was meaning if they buyout is too much to leave AAC and our only chance is to be in AAC to get with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc then we should hope to get an invite there or have to stay in the Sun Belt.

When you said 25M you are talking about if they leave for the 2026 season, right? I know the buyout is 10M with 27 months notice so I assumed that any team leaving would give that much notice anyway. Are you thinking we could not afford SBC buyout or that Memphis and Tulane could not afford the 10M? I feel like if a school wants to get out of a league that they can hit boosters up enough and lower expenses enough to raise the money to leave eventually.

[BallantyneApp]

Thoughts on App joining the AAC if they have a few spots open up? I don't see their members coming this way with the large exit fees.

Depends on who’s left and what they are offering.

As long as navy and army are in the conference they will make more than the sun belt in media money

[Stonewall]

Thoughts on App joining the AAC if they have a few spots open up? I don't see their members coming this way with the large exit fees.

They may harbor some ill will from the previous conversation. If not we would need to look at the comprehensive financial picture. I’m told it’s not what we have our sights set on.

[BallantyneApp]

Thoughts on App joining the AAC if they have a few spots open up? I don't see their members coming this way with the large exit fees.

They may harbor some ill will from the previous conversation. If not we would need to look at the comprehensive financial picture. I’m told it’s not what we have our sights set on.

I never heard anything about it getting acrimonious last time. A calculator is a calculator it either makes financial sense or it doesn't.

Not sure what we have our sights set on now but playing Service academies would at least be cool.

[AppWyo]

The AAC lost all of its luster when they lost UCF, Houston, Cincinatti, and SMU. They are a shell of their former selves. Besides, they did not want App and Georgia Southern when they had the chance neither did C-USA. Geographically, the new PAC makes no sense now or ever.

What would the Sun Belt Conference have to do to become an autonomous conference?

[AppSt94]

I think a league like I am describing would have a better TV deal than Sun Belt. I do expect the AAC TV deal to shrink when they adjust it and will go even lower if Memphis and Tulane were to leave but I believe both the Pac-12 and AAC will have a larger TV if we joined than if we stay in the Sun Belt.

Curious as to why you keep mentioning Tulane and Memphis as potential PAC members. The exit fee from the AAC is currently $25 million, according to the article. The PAC doesn’t have the money to help them pay that fee.

That would be the only way I would want to do something there. I just don't see Tulane or Memphis going there by themselves. If the buyout is too high for too long, never dropping, then we either stay where we are or hope to get an invite. Do we know those schools could simply not pay the buyout?

See above.

I was meaning if they buyout is too much to leave AAC and our only chance is to be in AAC to get with ECU, Memphis, Tulane, etc then we should hope to get an invite there or have to stay in the Sun Belt.

When you said 25M you are talking about if they leave for the 2026 season, right? I know the buyout is 10M with 27 months notice so I assumed that any team leaving would give that much notice anyway. Are you thinking we could not afford SBC buyout or that Memphis and Tulane could not afford the 10M? I feel like if a school wants to get out of a league that they can hit boosters up enough and lower expenses enough to raise the money to leave eventually.

Putting App in this conversation is moot because we aren’t moving in the current landscape. We don’t have the funds to move unless someone wants to pay it for us and the increases costs associated with a move can’t be offset as a 1 for 1 trade with added revenue. We need to make money off of a deal like that. There is also the understanding that a move to any conference doesn’t necessarily mean an increase to what that conference is currently making. If current AAC school members are getting $XXXXXX, that isn’t guaranteed to us as any change in members likely comes with a partial share to begin with as well and a renegotiation of media deal for lesser money with less desirable commodities.

You were referencing Tulane and Memphis as options for the Pac when the article stated that Tulane wasn’t interested and Memphis didn’t want to pay the exit fee. To be fair, the 27 month window may have been off the table since the PAC neede to get to full membership before that. But even at $10 million, I still feel like it isn’t worth the move. It doesn’t raise the brand. Playing on the west coast isn’t going to move the needle.

[AppWyo]

Time to see what the miscreants over on boneyard banter have to say about this

Boneyard Banter, too hard to navigate. Yosef's Cabin, navigation much easier. Yosef's Cabin, one of the best, if not the best, fan websites there is.

[AppStFan1]

The AAC lost all of its luster when they lost UCF, Houston, Cincinatti, and SMU. They are a shell of their former selves. Besides, they did not want App and Georgia Southern when they had the chance neither did C-USA. Geographically, the new PAC makes no sense now or ever.

What would the Sun Belt Conference have to do to become an autonomous conference?

That is true but I think a mix of the 2026 Pac-12 teams, some Sun Belt, and the top 4 programs from the AAC could be a better league than we are now and better than the current AAC. I don't think the Sun Belt could become autonomous.