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

[AppSt94]

What is the benefit of staying at 13? The revenue share bump is about $150k per year. Given the unbalanced scheduling issues, staying at 13 may cost more than the gain with travel.

[AppStFan1]

For what it’s worth, the absolute primeval reaction on Twitter/CFB Reddit, etc, to this move, is actually why it’s a fun add. I get that they don’t excite us but half the conference is ready to go to war. Which is really what college football is all about.

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

[AppSt94]

For what it’s worth, the absolute primeval reaction on Twitter/CFB Reddit, etc, to this move, is actually why it’s a fun add. I get that they don’t excite us but half the conference is ready to go to war. Which is really what college football is all about.

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

It doesn’t hurt it either. JMU and ODU could be seen with the same rationale with the West schools at the time.

[AppStFan1]

What is the benefit of staying at 13? The revenue share bump is about $150k per year. Given the unbalanced scheduling issues, staying at 13 may cost more than the gain with travel.

You are thinking mostly about secondary sports, right? That is a good point. I think a lot of people feel like if you are going to add someone that they should help the league as a whole by raising the TV revenue. A 3rd school in Louisiana does not really do that. Imagine if we added a school who increases TV revenue and gives us the 14 to balance scheduling out as well. That would have been ideal. I completely understand why ULM and Louisiana wanted La Tech though. I just think it is a short term move because I fully expect several schools to leave the SBC in 5 years or so and I am not sure La Tech would make this move if they knew what has a very good chance of coming.

[AppStFan1]

For what it’s worth, the absolute primeval reaction on Twitter/CFB Reddit, etc, to this move, is actually why it’s a fun add. I get that they don’t excite us but half the conference is ready to go to war. Which is really what college football is all about.

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

It doesn’t hurt it either. JMU and ODU could be seen with the same rationale with the West schools at the time.

I think a couple of them did feel that way but those adds helped our entire league. We brought in USM while Troy and USA moved to the west to help them out. This move just gives us a west team and does not help the east at all. It is okay though. We will have options in 2030.

[BallantyneApp]

For what it’s worth, the absolute primeval reaction on Twitter/CFB Reddit, etc, to this move, is actually why it’s a fun add. I get that they don’t excite us but half the conference is ready to go to war. Which is really what college football is all about.

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

It doesn’t hurt it either. JMU and ODU could be seen with the same rationale with the West schools at the time.

Except:
1. jMU and odu opened up new markets for the conference in a desirable and (relatively wealthy) state and an elite FB recruiting ground with growing enrollment
2. Jmu and odu had the #1 and #2 budget


3. Louisiana Tech is none of that for anybody that isn’t UL or ULM and potentially USM. Small budget poor state declining enrollment.

The regional rivalry thing is fine and good, but there’s not a lot to like unless you are one of the 3 above mentioned unis

[ah59396]

For what it’s worth, the absolute primeval reaction on Twitter/CFB Reddit, etc, to this move, is actually why it’s a fun add. I get that they don’t excite us but half the conference is ready to go to war. Which is really what college football is all about.

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

My opinion is probably different from most on this, but the Sun Belt is not adding anyone that will financially help the conference, at least materially. The Sun Belt is the Sun Belt. It’s gotten heaps better and I think it’s a great fit for us, but it’s still an absolute afterthought nationally

Even the “good adds” like us, JMU, or Marshall, did very little financially. Sun Belt payouts have increased by what, $800k/school/year? Peanuts in this landscape.

ECU was considered a “no brainer” add by us and the conference. Genuinely curious how much more money they would have added per school. I would contend very little.


So I say, add a school in the footprint that has a fanbase and creates passion. It’s worked for us so far.

[AppSt94]

For what it’s worth, the absolute primeval reaction on Twitter/CFB Reddit, etc, to this move, is actually why it’s a fun add. I get that they don’t excite us but half the conference is ready to go to war. Which is really what college football is all about.

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

It doesn’t hurt it either. JMU and ODU could be seen with the same rationale with the West schools at the time.

Except:
1. jMU and odu opened up new markets for the conference in a desirable and (relatively wealthy) state and an elite FB recruiting ground with growing enrollment
2. Jmu and odu had the #1 and #2 budget


3. Louisiana Tech is none of that for anybody that isn’t UL or ULM and potentially USM. Small budget poor state declining enrollment.

The regional rivalry thing is fine and good, but there’s not a lot to like unless you are one of the 3 above mentioned unis

Your point is taken and valid. That doesn’t change mine though. Adding JMU and ODU added travel costs to the budgets of West teams. While that’s the cost of doing business, each individual party is going to see it through a myopic lense.

[hapapp]

Was there anyone who was actually interested in joining that would really do much for increasing the market value of the Sun Belt? It seems convenient to stay at 14 and it does create some interesting rivalries for West teams. Its not a "wow" addition but its not the ruination of the SBC.

[BallantyneApp]

For what it’s worth, the absolute primeval reaction on Twitter/CFB Reddit, etc, to this move, is actually why it’s a fun add. I get that they don’t excite us but half the conference is ready to go to war. Which is really what college football is all about.

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

It doesn’t hurt it either. JMU and ODU could be seen with the same rationale with the West schools at the time.

Except:
1. jMU and odu opened up new markets for the conference in a desirable and (relatively wealthy) state and an elite FB recruiting ground with growing enrollment
2. Jmu and odu had the #1 and #2 budget


3. Louisiana Tech is none of that for anybody that isn’t UL or ULM and potentially USM. Small budget poor state declining enrollment.

The regional rivalry thing is fine and good, but there’s not a lot to like unless you are one of the 3 above mentioned unis

Your point is taken and valid. That doesn’t change mine though. Adding JMU and ODU added travel costs to the budgets of West teams. While that’s the cost of doing business, each individual party is going to see it through a myopic lense.

but it really didn't add costs- adding JMU/ODU allowed Troy to Move West where they wanted to be, and another bus trip for everyone in the west for all sports.

I'm not going to do the math but I'd bet heavily that adding JMU/ODU in the east and moving troy to the west resulted in LOWER average travel costs for West schools vs. just adding Marshall/USM and keeping troy in the East.

[AppSt94]

Oh I think we all know there are fans who have that attitude but this move does not financially help the SBC unless we can swap out ULM when adding La Tech. Moves are usually not made for that go to war attitude but due to money and that is why many of us are perplexed by this. I know Marshall, JMU, and ODU did not excite ULM but those schools help our league as a whole while La Tech really just helps 2 schools.

It doesn’t hurt it either. JMU and ODU could be seen with the same rationale with the West schools at the time.

Except:
1. jMU and odu opened up new markets for the conference in a desirable and (relatively wealthy) state and an elite FB recruiting ground with growing enrollment
2. Jmu and odu had the #1 and #2 budget


3. Louisiana Tech is none of that for anybody that isn’t UL or ULM and potentially USM. Small budget poor state declining enrollment.

The regional rivalry thing is fine and good, but there’s not a lot to like unless you are one of the 3 above mentioned unis

Your point is taken and valid. That doesn’t change mine though. Adding JMU and ODU added travel costs to the budgets of West teams. While that’s the cost of doing business, each individual party is going to see it through a myopic lense.

but it really didn't add costs- adding JMU/ODU allowed Troy to Move West where they wanted to be, and another bus trip for everyone in the west for all sports.

I'm not going to do the math but I'd bet heavily that adding JMU/ODU in the east and moving troy to the west resulted in LOWER average travel costs for West schools vs. just adding Marshall/USM and keeping troy in the East.

This move helped the West schools with minimal interruptions to the East schools. The West absorbed the last 3 for 1 move. The East can provide a little quid pro quo and take this one in the vain that it was good for the West schools.

[Saint3333]

The three East one West moved Troy to the west which was helpful for western members.

This is a classic case of the alternatives weren't worth battling for. WKU was a better on the field/court perspective, worse geographic answer. Ohio - same. Liberty - the third rail. Jax St. just too new to trump LA Tech.

[Stonewall]

The option of not rushing to grab the first suitor , instead waiting to see how things play out given the turbulence of the times , and perhaps adding real value down the road, as I understand it , was our position. A position I support. It furthermore might be that someone promoted La Tech as “ a done deal” in an effort to dampen interest among the aforementioned institutions. I do not know but I do have my suspicions. It also might be that the events of the past several weeks will accelerate some, I think necessary and in my view, inevitable discussions among certain members as to their future in this conference. “Their” meaning “ our”.

[Saint3333]

I agree, I think western members viewed this as somewhat existential if they didn't fill the spot quickly.

The longer the spot remained open the more likely it would be filled with a member that could be part of the eastern block splitting away longer term or lead to backroom meetings of that nature.

Still a possible outcome, would be interesting to see if Troy would move with the eastern division if given the choice.

[AppSt94]

I agree, I think western members viewed this as somewhat existential if they didn't fill the spot quickly.

The longer the spot remained open the more likely it would be filled with a member that could be part of the eastern block splitting away longer term or lead to backroom meetings of that nature.

Still a possible outcome, would be interesting to see if Troy would move with the eastern division if given the choice.

Interesting thought. If there was a breakaway, do you take the 7 current East teams, add Troy and take WKU and Ohio/MTSU to get to 10 or do you take the 7 East teams and add Ohio, WKU and MTSU?

[311neers]

7 east. Ohio, Troy, WKU. Awesome conference.

[BambooRdApp]

Then maybe alliance with PAC...only play West teams in championship games and/or conference tournament... unless you schedule an OOC game...

[Saint3333]

I agree, I think western members viewed this as somewhat existential if they didn't fill the spot quickly.

The longer the spot remained open the more likely it would be filled with a member that could be part of the eastern block splitting away longer term or lead to backroom meetings of that nature.

Still a possible outcome, would be interesting to see if Troy would move with the eastern division if given the choice.

Interesting thought. If there was a breakaway, do you take the 7 current East teams, add Troy and take WKU and Ohio/MTSU to get to 10 or do you take the 7 East teams and add Ohio, WKU and MTSU?

I believe you need eight members playing together for three straight years to maintain postseason eligibility rights.

That is why the west fought WKU and why I think Troy has leverage if we were to go that route.

I’m a sucker for war game discussions of course.

[t4pizza]

Lots of good ideas here, just need to see what schools are available. I still expect the AAC schools to be available once their media deal is over. The remaining schools just don't have the clout to bring in the numbers that they currently enjoy. But if you add some of those schools with some Sun Belt schools, you have a conference. In the general footprint, Memphis, Tulane, South Florida, ECU would fit great with the east 7 (minus Georgia State) and take Troy from the West. That would be a really good conference.

[AppWyo]

The only reason that Troy was good in '22 and '23 is because they did not have to run the gauntlet of the SBC East. They were glad to get out of the Sun Belt East. It is easier to dominate the Sun Belt West.