AAC just lost their big 3

[HighlandsApp]

Looking at the SI article - I just don't see why a MWC school would leave for the AAC, they just surpassed the AAC by UCF, Houston and Cincy leaving. If anything the MWC may even look at adding SMU. Also, If I'm Navy - I'm seriously considering going Independent again in Football.

There are two reasons; more money and playing more games in better time zones. West Coast football is at a severe disadvantage for TV dollars and viewers because of three and four hour differences in what everyone on the east coast is doing.

Not sure the more money will hold true once Houston, UCF and Cincy leave. Their TV contract will certainly be reduced. I do agree the MWC has limited east coast exposure which the AAC can offer and that in itself has value. But would you leave a strong MWC simply for additional east coast TV exposure that may or may not be realized in additional money over the contract you already have in hand? I see the MWC leapfrogging the future AAC in perceived strength once the moves are made (regardless of the AAC additions).

Yes. You may be right. I have further read about Boise being likely being pursued by AAC with the better teams and staying put.

I still think that it will be up to ESPN and what they want to payout for new AAC if it had the cream of MWC and what's left of AAC. ESPN isn't going to pay out very much to the new AAC for additional schools being added from CUSA or the Sunbelt.

[CLT]

If the AAC is somehow able to pull off adding Boise and some other MWC they'd retain the title of the best G5 along with keep that 7mil a year from ESPN

[spacemonkey]

Hearing rumors of USM, Marshall, UTSA, and FAU to Sunbelt. This would be a pretty great conference if true.

[Appstate88]

Hearing rumors of USM, Marshall, UTSA, and FAU to Sunbelt. This would be a pretty great conference if true.

Source?

[spacemonkey]

Hearing rumors of USM, Marshall, UTSA, and FAU to Sunbelt. This would be a pretty great conference if true.

Source?

Spacemonkey!!!!!!!!!!

[huskie3]

Hearing rumors of USM, Marshall, UTSA, and FAU to Sunbelt. This would be a pretty great conference if true.

Source?

Spacemonkey!!!!!!!!!!

D1 Ticker

[WVAPPeer]

One day after Boise State and San Diego State informed the Mountain West that they intend to stay in the conference, Air Force and Colorado State have done the same, sources confirmed to CBS Sports' Matt Norlander. The four schools had been targeted by the AAC as possible expansion candidates after three AAC teams -- Cincinnati, Houston and UCF -- announced their move to the Big 12 in September.

On Friday afternoon, the Mountain West Board of Directors confirmed the commitment of its conference members.

https://www.cbssports.com/college-footb ... -over-aac/

[BambooRdApp]

Boise should wait for the PAC 12
Personally, SD should wait for PAC 12 if PAC 12 would ever consider them
PAC 12 does not have schools in either location.
With that said, they were probably already getting some of the PAC 12 viewers with people returning to SD from whatever PAC 12 school they attended and probably similar with Idaho.
Not sure if it changes the TV contract for PAC 12 for ESPN/FOX or whatever network they have contract, other than to potentially increase it to include those schools to no dilute $$ to other schools. If I were the PAC 12, I would pick them up with a very hefty Exit fee if they ever want to leave.

[spacemonkey]

I am torn now...Which one would you all want.

A:
App, Fau or ODU or Charlotte, UTSA in the AAC

B: App, Marshall, USM, UTSA in Sunbelt

C: App, Louisiana, Marshall, UTSA in AAC

I hate to lose Coastal and Louisiana. But I do think being in a conference with ECU and Charlotte would be nice.

So here is my dream lineup. I know it is not likely.

App, Marshall, Louisiana, Charlotte to the AAC with whatever west teams want to go.

I think our best possible out come is App, UAB, Charlotte to the AAC or APP, USM, Marshall in the Sunbelt. Either way I think we are good. Basketball would be much improved if App, UAB, Georgia St., Charlotte to the AAC. I wonder how much say ECU has in the new AAC conference. I don't see how the conference can't move east.

[JMappfan5]

App is not going anywhere. Hope we can keep ULL/Ark St in the Belt & add Marshall/UTSA (UAB would be a huge get).

[moonshine]

The AAC won’t vote to have 3 teams in NC. UNCC fits the large urban mold much like GAST who also brings decent b-ball. UAB seems to be a consensus add checking most all the AAC boxes of decent football/b-ball, academics, recruiting and market. ODU is a new market with decent b-ball and recruiting plus easy travel for several teams. UTSA is a Texas market add but that would likely go to Rice, who has the academic profile to appease SMU/Tulane, if the Owls came out with a financial commitment to athletics.

[MAD Doctor]

If we can pick up Marshall and/or USM, the Sunbelt might be the only conference(besides the SEC) to actually get stronger in realignment.

[spacemonkey]

Stole this from another board....I like this outcome. I hope it happens.

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

[Stonewall]

We aren't going AAC.Their remaining top schools are weighing their options.
.They could lose a couple more,including one to the Funbelt.

[spacemonkey]

Stonewall, can you expand on what you are thinking? And are you thinking or are you hearing??

Who from the AAC is thinking about coming to the belt?????

[citroknight]

Unless the AAC gets further picked off by the Big 12, which I don't see happening for years if at all, they have no reason to leave. Especially not to the Sunbelt. The AAC media deal will absolutely go down but probably still be above what the Sunbelt makes. AAC teams will stay because there's no reason to make a lateral or downward money money when that would also cost them the treasure chest of exit fees and forfeited NCAA credits left behind by the Big 3. They'd also have to pay their own exit fee of at least $10M.

So in summary, go from potentially $2M a year in the AAC to $500k in the SB, pay $10M with 27 months notice, and forfeit NCAA credits. Why?

[AppSt94]

Unless the AAC gets further picked off by the Big 12, which I don't see happening for years if at all, they have no reason to leave. Especially not to the Sunbelt. The AAC media deal will absolutely go down but probably still be above what the Sunbelt makes. AAC teams will stay because there's no reason to make a lateral or downward money money when that would also cost them the treasure chest of exit fees and forfeited NCAA credits left behind by the Big 3. They'd also have to pay their own exit fee of at least $10M.

So in summary, go from potentially $2M a year in the AAC to $500k in the SB, pay $10M with 27 months notice, and forfeit NCAA credits. Why?

All of what you say makes sense. I don’t see it unless there are some behind the scenes things that we aren’t seeing. Such as, ESPN moving AAC inventory to the Sun Belt. That would increase the value some, but as you alluded too, not enough to make a difference.

[AppStateNews]

Unless the AAC gets further picked off by the Big 12, which I don't see happening for years if at all, they have no reason to leave. Especially not to the Sunbelt. The AAC media deal will absolutely go down but probably still be above what the Sunbelt makes. AAC teams will stay because there's no reason to make a lateral or downward money money when that would also cost them the treasure chest of exit fees and forfeited NCAA credits left behind by the Big 3. They'd also have to pay their own exit fee of at least $10M.

So in summary, go from potentially $2M a year in the AAC to $500k in the SB, pay $10M with 27 months notice, and forfeit NCAA credits. Why?

All of what you say makes sense. I don’t see it unless there are some behind the scenes things that we aren’t seeing. Such as, ESPN moving AAC inventory to the Sun Belt. That would increase the value some, but as you alluded too, not enough to make a difference.

Mickey getting involved in NCAA?!?! You don't say!

[Captain Morgan]

Looks like ESPN is keeping the Sun Belt together.


Pete Thamel
@PeteThamel
·
13m
Sources: The American Athletic Conference is expected examine expansion this week, with six schools expected to send applications. The AAC is expected to receive an application from – FAU, Charlotte, North Texas, UTSA, Rice and UAB this week. 1/2

The expectation is that they will be accepted and the AAC will grow to a 14-team football league. (Also 14 teams in hoops.)

[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.