Interesting read about collapse of CUSA

[HighlandsApp]

Writer speculates that the Sunbelt may move up a notch with CUSA replacing us as the bottom rung on the G5 ladder.
http://www.underdogdynasty.com/2016/6/8 ... s-espn-fox

[Gonzo]

RIP CUSA.

I guess prioritizing markets over teams people actually want to see was a folly.

[AppDawg]

Time for the Sunbelt to make a play for Marshall and Southern Miss.

[MDaniels84]

Time for the Sunbelt to make a play for Marshall and Southern Miss.

Both may have too large of egos for that but I definitely like the idea. Heck, I'd even take WKU and MTSU.

[ASUGoose]

Could this kick-start conversations at the G5 level of creating more regionally based conferences?

[moehler]

this goes to show that 1. MAC leadership really knows what they are doing and CUSA/Subelts leaderships are just amateurs in comparison. 2. CUSA former commissioner made a big gamble, and lost, thinking that bringing in all these schools with no football history, or national recognition, could have a positive influence because they were in a large tv market, on the future tv contracts. 3. Hopefully, this puts us one step closer to a regional conference approach.

[Gonzo]

Time for the Sunbelt to make a play for Marshall and Southern Miss.

Both may have too large of egos for that but I definitely like the idea. Heck, I'd even take WKU and MTSU.

That's the significance of this revelation, in my opinion.

This doesn't make our conference better than CUSA per se, it just finally shatters their delusions of grandeur to an extent that even the most devout CUSA homer can no longer claim their conference is more desirable than the Sun Belt.

[Nugget49]

I have seen so many articles stating that they finally had the "real" numbers for C-USA that I do not believe any of them anymore. There is no question that this situation is bad news for teams in C-USA, but all of the G5 should realize that we are the canary in the cave and what is happening is reflective of the current state of sports media. C-USA was the unlucky league to be first up to renegotiate their contract after cable-cutting became a thing. With declining, and uncertain revenues, sports broadcasters are cutting costs everywhere they can and I think they learned that G5 conferences will take less--much less--for their rights. Each league that follows us will get a similar screwing unless, and until, they figure out a new funding model to deliver live sports in an al a carte fashion. C-USA kept our contract term short (two years) so we can take advantage of a better environment if it exists. And if not, how much worse can it get?

Keep this all in perspective though. While losing $900k will have a real impact, Charlotte has a budget of $35 million so this is about a 2.5% cut. Our student body grows by close to 1000 students a year and the incremental student fees will add another $600,000 into the pot per year, so in two years we will have more than made up the cut. For Charlotte, this changes very little.

If anything, I believe this new reality stops almost any realignment thoughts because the exit and entry fees cannot be offset by better media dollars.

[Gonzo]

If anything, I believe this new reality stops almost any realignment thoughts because the exit and entry fees cannot be offset by better media dollars.

I'm sure the SEC Network $$$ disbursement will provide plenty of cash to offset the CUSA exit fee when UNCC is called up. Any day now too.

[moehler]

If things keep progressing downward, I will guarantee you in 5 years, both CUSA and the Sunbelt will come up with a mutual solution of a one time waiver of the exits and entrance fees to start the talks of a realignment of the conferences. If both conferences become desperate enough they will find a way to work togeather

[firemoose]

If things keep progressing downward, I will guarantee you in 5 years, both CUSA and the Sunbelt will come up with a mutual solution of a one time waiver of the exits and entrance fees to start the talks of a realignment of the conferences. If both conferences become desperate enough they will find a way to work togeather

Breaking my own self imposed rule about posting or even reading other threads but, while some talks have been going on for the past couple of years, conversations really picked up between Admins and AD's of both conferences/schools since the new contract numbers became known to the CUSA schools. And the first call didn't come from the Belt end. Time will tell what happens.

And now back to the Lodge.

[EastHallApp]

Would be great if you could just blow both leagues up and "redraft" them geographically into a Southeastern league and a Gulf Coast/Southwestern league. Of course aside from that being a pipe dream and incredibly complex to actually orchestrate, it would also result in the Southeastern group getting most of the good football programs AND the TV markets.

[Nugget49]

moehler and EastHallApp both bring up a perspective that on a macro level makes lots of sense. Sure, there are hurdles, like Charlotte's football program is in its infancy, and App's basketball...well, you know. But petty things aside, what could make more sense than Charlotte, ECU, and App being in the same conference? I could hate you even more. I think firemoose needs to put down the jug.

[ashugh]

I have zero desire to be in a conference with UNCC. We could play them from time to time to let their alums have a close game to drive to (Boone), but they don't have the following to even make that interesting. The realignment should be about QUALITY, not market size or region. If it is going to be successful, then do it with schools with tradition and solid following and name recognition outside of their own state (APP and GA So.)
The regional thinking leads to the same mistake as the market thinking. Quality teams will carry the day and pay the way.
Let UNCC, Ga. St. & ODU start their own regional league of "big market" teams. I'll take quality and tradition to the negotiation table over that any day.

[HighlandsApp]

I have zero desire to be in a conference with UNCC. We could play them from time to time to let their alums have a close game to drive to (Boone), but they don't have the following to even make that interesting. The realignment should be about QUALITY, not market size or region. If it is going to be successful, then do it with schools with tradition and solid following and name recognition outside of their own state (APP and GA So.)
The regional thinking leads to the same mistake as the market thinking. Quality teams will carry the day and pay the way.
Let UNCC, Ga. St. & ODU start their own regional league of "big market" teams. I'll take quality and tradition to the negotiation table over that any day.

I think ODU has something to develop that puts them in a different bucket

[JTApps1]

this goes to show that 1. MAC leadership really knows what they are doing and CUSA/Subelts leaderships are just amateurs in comparison. 2. CUSA former commissioner made a big gamble, and lost, thinking that bringing in all these schools with no football history, or national recognition, could have a positive influence because they were in a large tv market, on the future tv contracts. 3. Hopefully, this puts us one step closer to a regional conference approach.

The current Sun Belt leadership wasn't in place when the TV contract was signed so it's hard to say they are amateurs from that aspect. I believe the last few moves (adding bowls, getting rid of Idaho and NMSU, and starting a CCG) made by Benson and the schools have been the correct moves. Now the schools need to win on the field to elevate the SB. That is unless a big conference shakeup happens, and if it happens we just need to make sure App is doing all it can to be in a good position for whatever changes take place.

[JTApps1]

If things keep progressing downward, I will guarantee you in 5 years, both CUSA and the Sunbelt will come up with a mutual solution of a one time waiver of the exits and entrance fees to start the talks of a realignment of the conferences. If both conferences become desperate enough they will find a way to work togeather

Breaking my own self imposed rule about posting or even reading other threads but, while some talks have been going on for the past couple of years, conversations really picked up between Admins and AD's of both conferences/schools since the new contract numbers became known to the CUSA schools. And the first call didn't come from the Belt end. Time will tell what happens.

And now back to the Lodge.

The tone has certainly changed drastically the past few months even among fans who were basically mocking all Sun Belt schools. Instead of the nice and easy regional reshuffle everyone would like to see I think we may see a WAC to Mountain West scenario taking place again just with schools from two leagues joining to create a new football focused league. The main holdup would be exit fees, making sure bowls would be in on the deal, and keep NCAA post season rights which I believe require 6 schools from one league to remain intact.

From CUSA- Marshall, ODU, USM, WKU, MTSU, La. Tech
From SB- App, GS, Troy, USA, stAte, UL

East- Marshall, ODU, App, GS, MTSU, WKU
West- Troy, USA, USM, La. Tech, UL, stAte

With this setup we would have 6 members from each conference to make the NCAA happy, and the bowls would certainly follow this group since basically every team that is good enough to make a bowl would be here. Of course a few tweaks could be made if need.

[MDaniels84]

If things keep progressing downward, I will guarantee you in 5 years, both CUSA and the Sunbelt will come up with a mutual solution of a one time waiver of the exits and entrance fees to start the talks of a realignment of the conferences. If both conferences become desperate enough they will find a way to work togeather

Breaking my own self imposed rule about posting or even reading other threads but, while some talks have been going on for the past couple of years, conversations really picked up between Admins and AD's of both conferences/schools since the new contract numbers became known to the CUSA schools. And the first call didn't come from the Belt end. Time will tell what happens.

And now back to the Lodge.

The tone has certainly changed drastically the past few months even among fans who were basically mocking all Sun Belt schools. Instead of the nice and easy regional reshuffle everyone would like to see I think we may see a WAC to Mountain West scenario taking place again just with schools from two leagues joining to create a new football focused league. The main holdup would be exit fees, making sure bowls would be in on the deal, and keep NCAA post season rights which I believe require 6 schools from one league to remain intact.

From CUSA- Marshall, ODU, USM, WKU, MTSU, La. Tech
From SB- App, GS, Troy, USA, stAte, UL

East- Marshall, ODU, App, GS, MTSU, WKU
West- Troy, USA, USM, La. Tech, UL, stAte

With this setup we would have 6 members from each conference to make the NCAA happy, and the bowls would certainly follow this group since basically every team that is good enough to make a bowl would be here. Of course a few tweaks could be made if need.

This would be a nice league to be a part of...... Hope that the powers that be have the foresight to actually be proactive and start talking to one another.

[APPdiesel]

A league like that would be BRUTAL. I don't see anybody in that league being bad enough to be the 0-8 punching bag. Everybody would beat everybody else up. However the one team good enough to make it out with 0 or 1 losses would be a juggernaut.

twitter.com/DieselOnRadio

[EastHallApp]

A league like that would be BRUTAL. I don't see anybody in that league being bad enough to be the 0-8 punching bag. Everybody would beat everybody else up. However the one team good enough to make it out with 0 or 1 losses would be a juggernaut.

twitter.com/DieselOnRadio

Yeah, everybody always wants to imagine a league with all good teams. Need a few easy wins too unless you want a champion with 8 or 9 wins every year. Even the SEC has Vanderbilt and Kentucky.