(04-07-2014 10:55 AM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I don't get the fascination with Army and Air Force...they add NOTHING

Army wouldn't even be all sports....why do you want sports teams with a low ceiling?

They have a brand name, tradition and TV value. The Army/Navy Game alone is currently making $5 million per year from CBS in an "old" (2008) undervalued contract. That could easily be worth twice as much or more in today's market for a single game. Remember - think like a university president. The service academies are as valuable schools as you can get outside of the power conferences for off-the-field value (which is what matters more than on-the-field performance).

Quote:The #1 choice is BYU....they are what the American Conference needs.....

While this is true, saying that you want to add BYU is like saying that you want to add Notre Dame at this point: they aren't coming. BYU will only give up independence to join one of the 5 power conferences. Period. There is no in-between or potential deal to be made there.

Quote:short of BYU, New Mexico and Colorado State would add to the West wing well, and eat in to the MW...

I very much like the idea of a more national conference and was an advocate of the coast-to-coast model that the old Big East originally attempted with Boise State and SDSU. However, that old Big East experience showed that you can't just be a "little bit pregnant" with going west, so to speak. Either the league needs to be all-in with a full western expansion (effectively taking everyone of value from the MWC) or it's not going to happen at all. None of those schools want to be just 1 or 2 western outliers in the AAC (especially when it's for all-sports and not just football-only). There would need to be a full-fledged western division (and "western" doesn't mean including Memphis and Cincinnati) for that to work. Personally, I'd go for it if I were running the AAC, but I don't think the AAC presidents have the appetite for that.

(04-07-2014 11:12 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(04-07-2014 10:55 AM)EvilVodka Wrote:  I don't get the fascination with Army and Air Force...they add NOTHING

Army wouldn't even be all sports....why do you want sports teams with a low ceiling?

They have a brand name, tradition and TV value. The Army/Navy Game alone is currently making $5 million per year from CBS in an "old" (2008) undervalued contract. That could easily be worth twice as much or more in today's market for a single game. Remember - think like a university president. The service academies are as valuable schools as you can get outside of the power conferences for off-the-field value (which is what matters more than on-the-field performance).

Quote:The #1 choice is BYU....they are what the American Conference needs.....

While this is true, saying that you want to add BYU is like saying that you want to add Notre Dame at this point: they aren't coming. BYU will only give up independence to join one of the 5 power conferences. Period. There is no in-between or potential deal to be made there.

Quote:short of BYU, New Mexico and Colorado State would add to the West wing well, and eat in to the MW...

I very much like the idea of a more national conference and was an advocate of the coast-to-coast model that the old Big East originally attempted with Boise State and SDSU. However, that old Big East experience showed that you can't just be a "little bit pregnant" with going west, so to speak. Either the league needs to be all-in with a full western expansion (effectively taking everyone of value from the MWC) or it's not going to happen at all. None of those schools want to be just 1 or 2 western outliers in the AAC (especially when it's for all-sports and not just football-only). There would need to be a full-fledged western division (and "western" doesn't mean including Memphis and Cincinnati) for that to work. Personally, I'd go for it if I were running the AAC, but I don't think the AAC presidents have the appetite for that.

I agree. I think that's the best chance for a group of G5 schools to generate a significantly better media income. They obviously wouldn't be the top player anywhere---but they would be in the conversation EVERYWHERE. Over time, I think that would pay off for that group of G5 schools.

(04-07-2014 12:24 AM)Waterloo Wrote:  You know, after some thought I wonder if the AAC could become the 6th conference solution. Add UMass and Army to give the conference a decidedly east coast market then hit the MWC front and invite New Mexico, Colorado State, Air Force and see if that can lure BYU and hit pay dirt on the TV re-opener (maybe get $8-$10 million per school).

I know that's 18 teams, and some have mentioned a larger merger between the AAC and MWC as being viable, but why? The AAC can do it on their own. That may get ESPN to open up the deal and offer even better money for a 3 time zone product (the Pacific Time zone is a bridge too far and I don't think it's needed).

The value? 1) Army, Navy and Air Force in the same "American" conference; 2) Cincy, ECU, UCF, UH, BYU, Navy and Air Force provide a good football base; 3) Cincy, Memphis, UConn, UMass, New Mexico and BYU provide serious MBB chops. It also may get the endorsement of the P5 so they can split off and take the AAC along with them to avoid a lot of legal heartburn. Additionally it kills off the competition from the MWC, CUSA, Sun Belt, MAC and everyone else.

To survive you have to take out the competition, there's your blue print Mr. Aresco.

I agree with most of this, and I think its a good plan....

I still am not big on Air Force or Army...I don't think they boost the conference in either sport.

Also, I wonder why Northern Illinois is never mentioned as an eastern division addition....

(04-07-2014 11:58 AM)EvilVodka Wrote:  

(04-07-2014 12:24 AM)Waterloo Wrote:  You know, after some thought I wonder if the AAC could become the 6th conference solution. Add UMass and Army to give the conference a decidedly east coast market then hit the MWC front and invite New Mexico, Colorado State, Air Force and see if that can lure BYU and hit pay dirt on the TV re-opener (maybe get $8-$10 million per school).

I know that's 18 teams, and some have mentioned a larger merger between the AAC and MWC as being viable, but why? The AAC can do it on their own. That may get ESPN to open up the deal and offer even better money for a 3 time zone product (the Pacific Time zone is a bridge too far and I don't think it's needed).

The value? 1) Army, Navy and Air Force in the same "American" conference; 2) Cincy, ECU, UCF, UH, BYU, Navy and Air Force provide a good football base; 3) Cincy, Memphis, UConn, UMass, New Mexico and BYU provide serious MBB chops. It also may get the endorsement of the P5 so they can split off and take the AAC along with them to avoid a lot of legal heartburn. Additionally it kills off the competition from the MWC, CUSA, Sun Belt, MAC and everyone else.

To survive you have to take out the competition, there's your blue print Mr. Aresco.

I agree with most of this, and I think its a good plan....

I still am not big on Air Force or Army...I don't think they boost the conference in either sport.

Also, I wonder why Northern Illinois is never mentioned as an eastern division addition....

Strangely, Im more up with Army, despite their performance, than I am with Air Force. There's just more tradition with Army. That said, I still like the idea of a strong westward move that includes 5 solid MW schools.