(07-24-2015 11:02 AM)YNot Wrote:  All you really need to do is to add the best of the MWC to the American and get a 4-team conference championship tournament with the Access Bowl bid as the trophy. 80% of the G5 media value would be found in that expanded AAC. Little disruption to the status quo, but a massive increase in power and influence for the expanded conference.

In the end, you would have the 18-20 member American with four other mostly-regional lower-G5 conferences. Those 18-20 split the 80% and have plenty of inventory to launch the AmericanTV network; the remaining 40+ institutions split the 20%.

And this is why the G5 will never work together because we have some who think they should be the P2 of the G5....guaranteeing that they are the P2 of nothing.

(07-26-2015 12:14 AM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 11:02 AM)YNot Wrote:  All you really need to do is to add the best of the MWC to the American and get a 4-team conference championship tournament with the Access Bowl bid as the trophy. 80% of the G5 media value would be found in that expanded AAC. Little disruption to the status quo, but a massive increase in power and influence for the expanded conference.

In the end, you would have the 18-20 member American with four other mostly-regional lower-G5 conferences. Those 18-20 split the 80% and have plenty of inventory to launch the AmericanTV network; the remaining 40+ institutions split the 20%.

And this is why the G5 will never work together because we have some who think they should be the P2 of the G5....guaranteeing that they are the P2 of nothing.

At this point I only think a few misguided fans are thinking doing that.

(07-24-2015 10:24 AM)HawkeyeCoug Wrote:  If for some strange reason I were to be named G5 commissioner/dictator here is what I would do:

1. Abolish all G5 conferences, putting all teams into one big pot.

2. Form separate football and "all other sports" conferences/divisions under the G5 umbrella. Football would have national conferences, "all other sports" conferences would be regional and local.

3. Form a relegation system for G5 football. Top 18 teams would form the "premiere league" to steal a phrase from soccer. Next 18 would form the second division. Remaining 22 form divisions of 10 and 12 due to the odd number, and is a more regional collection of teams. Relegation happens every two years, bottom two and top two from each division (four per league) would transfer.

4. Form regional conferences for "all other sports" conferences to minimize travel. Football affiliation would change, but these would remain fairly static.

5. Institute football playoff system running parallel with bowl system. Include all top teams not invited to NY6 bowls from the G5, and any P5 teams that are willing. Let bowls pick over remainders.

6. Negotiate an overall TV contract and conference network. Locking up the large amount of inventory would extract maximum value, and provide more money than each conference negotiating it's own deal.

Obviously, it's not going to happen. However, I really think the G5 would do much better if they would work together to maximize their value, as opposed to trying to get the largest crumbs. This is a rather radical re-alignment of the G5, but I think it would serve them much better than the current scattered conferences do.

Although your idea will never fly and I probably would vote 'no' if we had a chance to vote. However, the bold part is what I do agree with.

Having said that, this is why I think the MWC and the AAC should form a 'best of' and truly make the best of a bad situation for all of us. If the AAC/MWC can form a best of league then they top two G5's can maximize value and potential by working together and probably get the access spot almost every year (something you can now sell to recruits), probably renegotiate better tv and bowl deals, and basically be the king of the turds, it's better than what is happening now, which is a bunch of little conferences fighting and clawing one another for some crumbs.

I really think the Top of the American should merge with the top of the MWC.
Uconn
Cincy
SMU
Houston
ECU
Memphis
Temple
UCF
USF
Tulane
Navy-Football only
SDSU
UNLV
Boise
Air Force
Colorado State
BYU if they want to join.

(07-26-2015 09:53 AM)Temple26 Wrote:  I really think the Top of the American should merge with the top of the MWC.
Uconn
Cincy
SMU
Houston
ECU
Memphis
Temple
UCF
USF
Tulane
Navy-Football only
SDSU
UNLV
Boise
Air Force
Colorado State
BYU if they want to join.

But to do that, one of the two have to kick out the balance of their conference and then invite the "best" of the other one to join.

And to do that, you have to get some of the schools getting kicked out to vote to kick themselves out, which seems unlikely to happen.

Most of those schools know what an airport meeting is

I'd create a world without violence and an armada made exclusively of candy candy cane submarines.

(07-26-2015 12:14 AM)ark30inf Wrote:  

(07-24-2015 11:02 AM)YNot Wrote:  All you really need to do is to add the best of the MWC to the American and get a 4-team conference championship tournament with the Access Bowl bid as the trophy. 80% of the G5 media value would be found in that expanded AAC. Little disruption to the status quo, but a massive increase in power and influence for the expanded conference.

In the end, you would have the 18-20 member American with four other mostly-regional lower-G5 conferences. Those 18-20 split the 80% and have plenty of inventory to launch the AmericanTV network; the remaining 40+ institutions split the 20%.

And this is why the G5 will never work together because we have some who think they should be the P2 of the G5....guaranteeing that they are the P2 of nothing.

It's just business. In order for cooperation to happen, it has to make sense for everyone. Besides, the G5 doesn't have to work together. Why wouldn't the same concept would work for any G5 conferences that want to cooperate. Throw the MW and AAC the bird. The Sunbelt, CUSA, and MAC could tie themselves together and negotiate as a single block. The CFA didn't have every college football team when it negotiated its deal. The MAC, CUSA, and Sunbelt would be a single block controlling 60% of the G5 inventory.

(07-26-2015 09:53 AM)Temple26 Wrote:  I really think the Top of the American should merge with the top of the MWC.
Uconn
Cincy
SMU
Houston
ECU
Memphis
Temple
UCF
USF
Tulane
Navy-Football only
SDSU
UNLV
Boise
Air Force
Colorado State
BYU if they want to join.

That would be the worst conference with a bunch of losers.

I will be fair on who should be in the conference.

West Coast:
Boise State
Fresno State
San Diego State
UNR
BYU
Utah State
Eastern Washington
Northern Arizona

Central:
UTEP
Texas State
Houston
North Dakota State
La-Lafayette
Arkansas State
La. Tech
Northern Iowa
Mankato State

Midwest:
Ohio U.
Northern Illinois
Western Kentucky
Northern Iowa
Toledo
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Illinois State

Southeast:
Middle Tenn. State
South Alabama
Coastal Carolina
UCF
Georgia Southern
Chattanooga
Memphis
Jacksonville State

Northeast:
East Carolina
Old Dominion
Appalachian State
Cincinnati
Marshall
James Madison
Navy

I am being fair, and these schools are winning.

(07-24-2015 10:24 AM)HawkeyeCoug Wrote:  If for some strange reason I were to be named G5 commissioner/dictator here is what I would do:

1. Abolish all G5 conferences, putting all teams into one big pot.

2. Form separate football and "all other sports" conferences/divisions under the G5 umbrella. Football would have national conferences, "all other sports" conferences would be regional and local.

3. Form a relegation system for G5 football. Top 18 teams would form the "premiere league" to steal a phrase from soccer. Next 18 would form the second division. Remaining 22 form divisions of 10 and 12 due to the odd number, and is a more regional collection of teams. Relegation happens every two years, bottom two and top two from each division (four per league) would transfer.

4. Form regional conferences for "all other sports" conferences to minimize travel. Football affiliation would change, but these would remain fairly static.

5. Institute football playoff system running parallel with bowl system. Include all top teams not invited to NY6 bowls from the G5, and any P5 teams that are willing. Let bowls pick over remainders.

6. Negotiate an overall TV contract and conference network. Locking up the large amount of inventory would extract maximum value, and provide more money than each conference negotiating it's own deal.

Obviously, it's not going to happen. However, I really think the G5 would do much better if they would work together to maximize their value, as opposed to trying to get the largest crumbs. This is a rather radical re-alignment of the G5, but I think it would serve them much better than the current scattered conferences do.

I hope not!

(07-27-2015 12:48 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(07-26-2015 09:53 AM)Temple26 Wrote:  I really think the Top of the American should merge with the top of the MWC.
Uconn
Cincy
SMU
Houston
ECU
Memphis
Temple
UCF
USF
Tulane
Navy-Football only
SDSU
UNLV
Boise
Air Force
Colorado State
BYU if they want to join.

That would be the worst conference with a bunch of losers.

I will be fair on who should be in the conference.

West Coast:
Boise State
Fresno State
San Diego State
UNR
BYU
Utah State
Eastern Washington
Northern Arizona

Central:
UTEP
Texas State
Houston
North Dakota State
La-Lafayette
Arkansas State
La. Tech
Northern Iowa
Mankato State

Midwest:
Ohio U.
Northern Illinois
Western Kentucky
Northern Iowa
Toledo
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Illinois State

Southeast:
Middle Tenn. State
South Alabama
Coastal Carolina
UCF
Georgia Southern
Chattanooga
Memphis
Jacksonville State

Northeast:
East Carolina
Old Dominion
Appalachian State
Cincinnati
Marshall
James Madison
Navy

I am being fair, and these schools are winning.

NO FCS or Division II schools....Go back to dreaming scenarios for Arkansas Tech joining the Summit or Southland.

(07-27-2015 01:03 AM)ARSTATEFAN1986 Wrote:  

(07-27-2015 12:48 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(07-26-2015 09:53 AM)Temple26 Wrote:  I really think the Top of the American should merge with the top of the MWC.
Uconn
Cincy
SMU
Houston
ECU
Memphis
Temple
UCF
USF
Tulane
Navy-Football only
SDSU
UNLV
Boise
Air Force
Colorado State
BYU if they want to join.

That would be the worst conference with a bunch of losers.

I will be fair on who should be in the conference.

West Coast:
Boise State
Fresno State
San Diego State
UNR
BYU
Utah State
Eastern Washington
Northern Arizona

Central:
UTEP
Texas State
Houston
North Dakota State
La-Lafayette
Arkansas State
La. Tech
Northern Iowa
Mankato State

Midwest:
Ohio U.
Northern Illinois
Western Kentucky
Northern Iowa
Toledo
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Illinois State

Southeast:
Middle Tenn. State
South Alabama
Coastal Carolina
UCF
Georgia Southern
Chattanooga
Memphis
Jacksonville State

Northeast:
East Carolina
Old Dominion
Appalachian State
Cincinnati
Marshall
James Madison
Navy

I am being fair, and these schools are winning.

NO FCS or Division II schools....Go back to dreaming scenarios for Arkansas Tech joining the Summit or Southland.

Actually, FCS and D2 winners will be much better than having losers. It strenghtens the conference.

(07-24-2015 10:24 AM)HawkeyeCoug Wrote:  4. Form regional conferences for "all other sports" conferences to minimize travel. Football affiliation would change, but these would remain fairly static.

I've seen "cost savings" conferences floated, but don't think it'll happen whole scale due to basketball valuation variances. Currently, the mass media recognizes the AAC as a major conference in bball (listed alongside the P5/major conferences in coverage...from recruiting rankings to coaches on the hot seat type stories...). They are also the only FBS league (that I'm aware of) with a separate bball contract. It's not much, but CBS Sports pays a bit for a dozen or so games a year (separate from the CBSSN/ESPN subcontract). It's hard to imagine that group willingly taking a prestige cut (major vs. mid), SOS cut, exposure and money cut to save a few $...especially when they can afford it. Most of the money making larger budget (G5 FBS) bball schools reside in the AAC. After final movements are made and realignment fees run out, it may make financial sense for a reconfigured AAC, but not in its' current form.

(07-24-2015 10:24 AM)HawkeyeCoug Wrote:  If for some strange reason I were to be named G5 commissioner/dictator here is what I would do:

1. Abolish all G5 conferences, putting all teams into one big pot.

2. Form separate football and "all other sports" conferences/divisions under the G5 umbrella. Football would have national conferences, "all other sports" conferences would be regional and local.

3. Form a relegation system for G5 football. Top 18 teams would form the "premiere league" to steal a phrase from soccer. Next 18 would form the second division. Remaining 22 form divisions of 10 and 12 due to the odd number, and is a more regional collection of teams. Relegation happens every two years, bottom two and top two from each division (four per league) would transfer.
...
6. Negotiate an overall TV contract and conference network. Locking up the large amount of inventory would extract maximum value, and provide more money than each conference negotiating it's own deal.

relegation/promotion + combine negotiating power = better TV contract for sure... but then how many ways do you divide the money?

(07-27-2015 12:31 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  It's just business. In order for cooperation to happen, it has to make sense for everyone. Besides, the G5 doesn't have to work together. Why wouldn't the same concept would work for any G5 conferences that want to cooperate. Throw the MW and AAC the bird. The Sunbelt, CUSA, and MAC could tie themselves together and negotiate as a single block. The CFA didn't have every college football team when it negotiated its deal. The MAC, CUSA, and Sunbelt would be a single block controlling 60% of the G5 inventory.

60% of the inventory, but probably 10-15% of the G5 market. Go look at the ratings and attendance figures. The AAC and MWC carry the G5 market. Easily. And that's a substantial minority of the college football marketplace.

The AAC or MWC will not readily join forces with the Sun Belt, C-USA, or MAC unless there are triggers in place to divide the $$ pot based on metrics that matter - and that doesn't necessarily focus on the on-field performance.

Look at the 2014 Marshall and NIU teams. Marshall won CUSA and had a 12-win season - the best win-loss performances in the G5. NIU had an 11-win season and the MAC championship. However, the highest TV rating of the year for Marshall was the CUSA Championship game which delivered a 0.5 rating and 725K viewers. Average attendance at Marshall home games was 27K. NIU's best rating was also 0.5 rating and 692K viewers for the MAC championship. NIU's average home game attendance was a dismal 13K (yes, I know that MACtion is largely to blame for the poor attendance, but the 0.4 TV rating and 600K viewers of NIU in Tuesday MACtion don't do enough to overcome the poor attendance).

Meanwhile, Fresno St. (6-7) v. New Mexico (4-8) - lackluster on-field performers - delivered a 0.6 rating and 838K viewers. Fresno St. averaged 34K at home games and New Mexico had about 22K.

UConn (2-10) v. USF (4-8) - pretty brutal on-field performers - delivered a 1.0 rating and 1.36M viewers. 2-win Uconn averaged 27K fans at home games (the same number as Marshall and twice NIU's number) and USF exceeded 30K.

My point is, if Benson and whoever oversees the MAC and whoever takes over CUSA call on this, I don't think Aresco and Thompson are answering...

(07-27-2015 01:10 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(07-27-2015 01:03 AM)ARSTATEFAN1986 Wrote:  

(07-27-2015 12:48 AM)DavidSt Wrote:  

(07-26-2015 09:53 AM)Temple26 Wrote:  I really think the Top of the American should merge with the top of the MWC.
Uconn
Cincy
SMU
Houston
ECU
Memphis
Temple
UCF
USF
Tulane
Navy-Football only
SDSU
UNLV
Boise
Air Force
Colorado State
BYU if they want to join.

That would be the worst conference with a bunch of losers.

I will be fair on who should be in the conference.

West Coast:
Boise State
Fresno State
San Diego State
UNR
BYU
Utah State
Eastern Washington
Northern Arizona

Central:
UTEP
Texas State
Houston
North Dakota State
La-Lafayette
Arkansas State
La. Tech
Northern Iowa
Mankato State

Midwest:
Ohio U.
Northern Illinois
Western Kentucky
Northern Iowa
Toledo
Central Michigan
Western Michigan
Illinois State

Southeast:
Middle Tenn. State
South Alabama
Coastal Carolina
UCF
Georgia Southern
Chattanooga
Memphis
Jacksonville State

Northeast:
East Carolina
Old Dominion
Appalachian State
Cincinnati
Marshall
James Madison
Navy

I am being fair, and these schools are winning.

NO FCS or Division II schools....Go back to dreaming scenarios for Arkansas Tech joining the Summit or Southland.

Actually, FCS and D2 winners will be much better than having losers. It strenghtens the conference.

False.

(07-27-2015 10:43 AM)YNot Wrote:  

(07-27-2015 12:31 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  It's just business. In order for cooperation to happen, it has to make sense for everyone. Besides, the G5 doesn't have to work together. Why wouldn't the same concept would work for any G5 conferences that want to cooperate. Throw the MW and AAC the bird. The Sunbelt, CUSA, and MAC could tie themselves together and negotiate as a single block. The CFA didn't have every college football team when it negotiated its deal. The MAC, CUSA, and Sunbelt would be a single block controlling 60% of the G5 inventory.

60% of the inventory, but probably 10-15% of the G5 market. Go look at the ratings and attendance figures. The AAC and MWC carry the G5 market. Easily. And that's a substantial minority of the college football marketplace.

The AAC or MWC will not readily join forces with the Sun Belt, C-USA, or MAC unless there are triggers in place to divide the $$ pot based on metrics that matter - and that doesn't necessarily focus on the on-field performance.

Look at the 2014 Marshall and NIU teams. Marshall won CUSA and had a 12-win season - the best win-loss performances in the G5. NIU had an 11-win season and the MAC championship. However, the highest TV rating of the year for Marshall was the CUSA Championship game which delivered a 0.5 rating and 725K viewers. Average attendance at Marshall home games was 27K. NIU's best rating was also 0.5 rating and 692K viewers for the MAC championship. NIU's average home game attendance was a dismal 13K (yes, I know that MACtion is largely to blame for the poor attendance, but the 0.4 TV rating and 600K viewers of NIU in Tuesday MACtion don't do enough to overcome the poor attendance).

Meanwhile, Fresno St. (6-7) v. New Mexico (4-8) - lackluster on-field performers - delivered a 0.6 rating and 838K viewers. Fresno St. averaged 34K at home games and New Mexico had about 22K.

UConn (2-10) v. USF (4-8) - pretty brutal on-field performers - delivered a 1.0 rating and 1.36M viewers. 2-win Uconn averaged 27K fans at home games (the same number as Marshall and twice NIU's number) and USF exceeded 30K.

My point is, if Benson and whoever oversees the MAC and whoever takes over CUSA call on this, I don't think Aresco and Thompson are answering...

That was kinda my point. For cooperation to occur, it has to make sense for everyone. Unless the other G5 conferences are willing to split the revenue in a way where the AAC and MW get roughly twice what the other G5's get (and that's not likely), then there isn't any reason for the AAC or MW to really consider the option. That said, there might still be an negotiation advantage to be garnered for the rest of the G5 by bundling the other 3 G5's together and negotiating as a single unit. They may find they get a slightly better price for their games.