AAC just lost their big 3

[AppStateNews]

The current Sun Belt deal with ESPN runs through 2030-2031 academic year. They largely are the reason AAC is going with regional markets over quality programs. They own the rights to the AAC tv as well. Their deal runs through 2031-2032 academic year.

This way, ESPN corners the market. They get the larger market shares for programs with a less passionate fan base as well as the smaller markets but quality programs.

I would not be surprised to see Sun Belt take over as the "P6" conference within 2-3 years after AAC adds the likes of Charlotte, Rice, FAU, etc.

[Captain Morgan]

The current Sun Belt deal with ESPN runs through 2030-2031 academic year. They largely are the reason AAC is going with regional markets over quality programs. They own the rights to the AAC tv as well. Their deal runs through 2031-2032 academic year.

This way, ESPN corners the market. They get the larger market shares for programs with a less passionate fan base as well as the smaller markets but quality programs.

I would not be surprised to see Sun Belt take over as the "P6" conference within 2-3 years after AAC adds the likes of Charlotte, Rice, FAU, etc.

the opportunity is there. With the Cajuns and Mountaineers, and Coastal getting hot at the right time, the Sun Belt is trending up.

[diehardapp18]

ESPN is trying to get more teams under their umbrella. The Sun Belt is already under the ESPN umbrella. We'll be better off staying put and getting some CUSA teams to join. CUSA is going away.

Louisiana Tech AD sick right now

[Captain Morgan]

ESPN is trying to get more teams under their umbrella. The Sun Belt is already under the ESPN umbrella. We'll be better off staying put and getting some CUSA teams to join. CUSA is going away.

Louisiana Tech AD sick right now

the ECU board is more than that right now

[goapps93]

ESPN is trying to get more teams under their umbrella. The Sun Belt is already under the ESPN umbrella. We'll be better off staying put and getting some CUSA teams to join. CUSA is going away.

Louisiana Tech AD sick right now

Too bad the Sun Belt is already Louisiana heavy. They would be a good add.

[JMappfan5]

La Tech will never be in the Sun Belt...that ship has sailed & sunk.

[spong]

The East Division (what will remain) will have FIU, Marshall, Middle Tennessee, Old Dominion, and Western Kentucky.

The West Division will have Louisiana Tech, Southern Miss, and UTEP.

CUSA will be going school shopping. I would think Liberty would be in the discussion.

I like the idea of App State playing Marshall and Old Dominion every year. Should App State consider moving?

[MAD Doctor]

As expected, delusional UNC at Concord is claiming that they’ve blown our doors off, are now a premier P6 program, that “CUSA is a joke and App should enjoy it.” I believe they honestly think the AAC will be stronger with them and Rice, instead of Cincy and Houston. A special kind of stupid.

[mike87]

As expected, delusional UNC at Concord is claiming that they’ve blown our doors off, are now a premier P6 program, that “CUSA is a joke and App should enjoy it.” I believe they honestly think the AAC will be stronger with them and Rice, instead of Cincy and Houston. A special kind of stupid.

At least they aren't still calling us a "rival". That was embarrassing.

[BeauFoster]

Honestly speaking, if the tv money in the AAC remains constant, then it’s probably a good deal for uncc to join. CUSA is already travel heavy, so that aspect isn’t much change for them. It would probably be more overall travel for App’s programs to join the AAC, and much of that extra tv money would be gone immediately to support travel.

With that said, I don’t expect the tv money to remain at $6-7mil a year for the AAC. It won’t drop to CUSA levels, but I’d be really surprised if it isn’t renegotiated.

The AAC, with those additions, is a mediocre football conference. None of the additions bring anything more than media markets, and the teams are a distant 3rd place in those markets behind bigger schools and the NFL. I’d be shocked if the ECU faithful aren’t clamoring for a move of their own to the Sun Belt.

[appst89]

According to reports, the remaining 8 AAC members will receive the payout based on the current contract. The 6 new members will receive about 1/3 of that amount.

This is an absolute homerun for the Sun Belt.

I'm guessing SMU and Tulsa are looking to bolt ASAP. Wichita St. is on the phone with the Big East right now. This is nothing more than CUSA 3.0.

[AppSt94]

Honestly speaking, if the tv money in the AAC remains constant, then it’s probably a good deal for uncc to join. CUSA is already travel heavy, so that aspect isn’t much change for them. It would probably be more overall travel for App’s programs to join the AAC, and much of that extra tv money would be gone immediately to support travel.

With that said, I don’t expect the tv money to remain at $6-7mil a year for the AAC. It won’t drop to CUSA levels, but I’d be really surprised if it isn’t renegotiated.

The AAC, with those additions, is a mediocre football conference. None of the additions bring anything more than media markets, and the teams are a distant 3rd place in those markets behind bigger schools and the NFL. I’d be shocked if the ECU faithful aren’t clamoring for a move of their own to the Sun Belt.

They don’t each make $6-$7 million now. Here is the latest breakdown available.
Memphis led the way in payouts with $8.656 million followed by Cincinnati ($6.2 million), Temple ($5.9 million), SMU ($5.37 million), UCF ($5.35 million), Tulane ($5 million), USF ($4.6 million), East Carolina ($4.59 million), Tulsa ($4.45 million), Houston ($4.43 million), Navy ($3.84 million),

[BeauFoster]

Honestly speaking, if the tv money in the AAC remains constant, then it’s probably a good deal for uncc to join. CUSA is already travel heavy, so that aspect isn’t much change for them. It would probably be more overall travel for App’s programs to join the AAC, and much of that extra tv money would be gone immediately to support travel.

With that said, I don’t expect the tv money to remain at $6-7mil a year for the AAC. It won’t drop to CUSA levels, but I’d be really surprised if it isn’t renegotiated.

The AAC, with those additions, is a mediocre football conference. None of the additions bring anything more than media markets, and the teams are a distant 3rd place in those markets behind bigger schools and the NFL. I’d be shocked if the ECU faithful aren’t clamoring for a move of their own to the Sun Belt.

They don’t each make $6-$7 million now. Here is the latest breakdown available.
Memphis led the way in payouts with $8.656 million followed by Cincinnati ($6.2 million), Temple ($5.9 million), SMU ($5.37 million), UCF ($5.35 million), Tulane ($5 million), USF ($4.6 million), East Carolina ($4.59 million), Tulsa ($4.45 million), Houston ($4.43 million), Navy ($3.84 million),

I did not realize that at all. Coupled with what 89 is saying, the AAC in its new form is absolutely not a place I’d like to see App end up and I’m glad that it appears we’re staying put. It really is just CUSA with a new name.

Realign the bowl tie ins and the Belt is the top league in G5, perhaps tied with the MWC.

[Yosef84]

The Bowl tie-ins is a huge potential win for the SunBelt. If the AAC makes these moves and dilutes their level of competition, I would expect the Belt to be able to negotiate strongly for a couple of higher profile contracts, especially if we can pick up Marshall and another decent program in the process. Lots of possibilities ahead.

[AppSt94]

Honestly speaking, if the tv money in the AAC remains constant, then it’s probably a good deal for uncc to join. CUSA is already travel heavy, so that aspect isn’t much change for them. It would probably be more overall travel for App’s programs to join the AAC, and much of that extra tv money would be gone immediately to support travel.

With that said, I don’t expect the tv money to remain at $6-7mil a year for the AAC. It won’t drop to CUSA levels, but I’d be really surprised if it isn’t renegotiated.

The AAC, with those additions, is a mediocre football conference. None of the additions bring anything more than media markets, and the teams are a distant 3rd place in those markets behind bigger schools and the NFL. I’d be shocked if the ECU faithful aren’t clamoring for a move of their own to the Sun Belt.

They don’t each make $6-$7 million now. Here is the latest breakdown available.
Memphis led the way in payouts with $8.656 million followed by Cincinnati ($6.2 million), Temple ($5.9 million), SMU ($5.37 million), UCF ($5.35 million), Tulane ($5 million), USF ($4.6 million), East Carolina ($4.59 million), Tulsa ($4.45 million), Houston ($4.43 million), Navy ($3.84 million),

I did not realize that at all. Coupled with what 89 is saying, the AAC in its new form is absolutely not a place I’d like to see App end up and I’m glad that it appears we’re staying put. It really is just CUSA with a new name.

Realign the bowl tie ins and the Belt is the top league in G5, perhaps tied with the MWC.

And this was my biggest issue when discussing AAC or bust with folks. Sure, even $3.84 is better than what we get now through the SBC deal, but that isn’t going to offset the cost increases throughout the department.

[Stonewall]

Marshall and ODU to the 'Belt? An unhappy EZU ?

[ugmw177]

As expected, delusional UNC at Concord is claiming that they’ve blown our doors off, are now a premier P6 program, that “CUSA is a joke and App should enjoy it.” I believe they honestly think the AAC will be stronger with them and Rice, instead of Cincy and Houston. A special kind of stupid.

At least they aren't still calling us a "rival". That was embarrassing.

I happened to be on UNCC's campus this past saturday for a friend's son's rugby match. had to park by the "football stadium". Wow, i have never seen it in person and was blown away by just how tiny it is...my HS stadium was bigger. Also the charlotte TV market could give a sh&# less about uncc..I find the AAC invite funny...

[KentHogan]

I just read that there's a rumor the Sun Belt will go after Marshall and Southern Miss. I would be good with that.
I'm stunned that the AAC thinks they can remain the best Group of 5 conference with these 6 additions from ConfUSA, that's wishful thinking.

[APPdiesel]

Marshall and ODU to the 'Belt? An unhappy EZU ?

ECU won't pay the $10 million buyout unless the Sun Belt payout increases dramatically (probably $8-10 million per school per year)...even less likely if an ECU-UNCC rivalry takes hold. They'll have a much different identity from one another but ECU will have an in state travel partner and won't be on the island we all thought they would.

My hope was that the Sun Belt would add Marshall and USM, hold tight at 12 for a couple of years and hopefully one day be attractive and lucrative enough to lure ECU. The first part still seems likely...the second part, not so much.

[mike87]

ECU is a good OOC matchup. I'd hate to know we had to travel to G'ville every other year. It's hot, they suck and it's hot. And they suck.