Considering geography, market size, etc.

1. UNCC - Large market, gets into ACC and would be all sports.

2. UMass - State flagship in populous area and would be all sports.

3. UTSA - Large market and all sports would balance West if UNCC or UMass were added.

TV and FB we know are the drivers.

Whomever adds most to the TV contract. The networks, I'm sure, run projections.

My guess is that none of the three schools above would be additive. The only that would likely add anything to the contract would be BYU, Boise and possibly Army (their TV #'s are actually pretty good). I doubt the first two would be interested.

I've always been on board with Army, football only. Along with Navy, they occupy a unique niche in major college football with a rich tradition. The AAC owning and promoting the Army/Navy game is an opportunity to build some real brand equity for this conference in front of a captive national audience. I would then use that platform to host an AAC invitational basketball tourney the same weekend (P5 opponents only) with part of the ticket revenue going to veterans' causes. And sorry Tulane and UCF, this would regulary feature the top basketball programs in the AAC against very high profile opponents.

Do any other eastern football programs move the needle? Sad to say it but I don't think so.

(12-16-2016 08:29 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Whomever adds most to the TV contract. The networks, I'm sure, run projections.

My guess is that none of the three schools above would be additive. The only that would likely add anything to the contract would be BYU, Boise and possibly Army (their TV #'s are actually pretty good). I doubt the first two would be interested.

Army would create logistic problems. Navy is in the West Division. Would Army be in the East? If in the same Division they would play every year but it has to be the last game and after the Championship Game? The Division winner might hinge on the outcome.

If in opposite Divisions the same issue could occur.

Perhaps you have a solution as one is not apparent to me without moving Army/Navy where it preceded AAC Championship.

Assuming western expansion is out, I prefer this model

North: Cincinnati, Temple, UConn, ECU, Army, Navy (Marshall or UMass)
South: USF, UCF, Houston, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa, Memphis.
9 conference games

My preference is Marshall over UMass.

Olympic sports additions would be Wichita State, VCU, and/or Dayton. I would go with all three and create regional divisions

North: UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, Dayton, (Marshall or UMass)
South: Memphis, ECU, VCU, USF, UCF
West: Tulane, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Wichita State

Play all division rivals twice, play two cross-division rivals twice one from each division, and everyone else once for a total of 20 conference games. Basketball is now loaded with inventory, likely a 5 to 7 bid league, emphasis on regional rivalry games.

Marshall would a better football additional while UMass is a better basketball addition and far better academic institution. I prefer Marshall over UMass due to their football (likely to average more than 25,000 fans versus 10,000 for UMass) and the fact that it gives UC a regional opponent. Dayton, VCU, and Wichita State all sell out their arena on regular basis. Army football, Marshall football, VCU basketball, Dayton basketball, and Wichita State basketball all have fan bases that would make the event on TV look like its important.

I am not sure I see any school that I am anxious to add to the AAC. Reason # 1 is geography.

Several years ago we had several "driveable" league games in football. UL, WVU, Pitt. Now the closest games are Memphis and Temple. (Yes, your car will get there, but it feels like a full days drive.) It would be nice to have a league game within 200 miles at least every other year.

I don't see any good addition that would solve this for us. It is part of the reason that I was only a little disappointed that the Big12 passed on expansion. The money and prestige would have been nice, but travel would not have been a whole lot better than today. At least today we have one warm weather Florida game if we are so inclined.

In addition, a basketball / non-revenue sport "companion school" for travel purposes would be nice. It is lacking today.

That is why I would not mind seeing some limited home & home with a MAC school (beyond Miami.) I think that OU-Athens trip coming up could be fun - but I don't want to do that too much.

ESPN will not pay us more $$ next go around by adding UMass type schools for football.

They control expansion. Is it in ESPN's interest to have the AAC expand by adding 2 of Army/BYU/Boise, giving us a substantial raise,(upwards of 10mil +) and have us sign a GOR ? Or is it best for them to wait til the big 12 implodes in 5 years , shuffle the deck with the Big 12 leftovers and bring in backfill and negotiate a new deal with that conference?

(12-16-2016 08:29 AM)CliftonAve Wrote:  Whomever adds most to the TV contract. The networks, I'm sure, run projections.

This is the only acceptable answer to this question. There is no reason to expand unless it A) adds revenue, or B) gives UC a better chance to win.

BYU
Army
Boise

(12-16-2016 10:42 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BYU
Army
Boise

To these I would add UTSA just to create another potential thorn in the B12's side. It's a vibrant, growing market as well.

who would I add? hmm. Duke, UK, UL, Michigan State, Kansas. That should be good

(12-16-2016 09:07 AM)bearcatlawjd2 Wrote:  Assuming western expansion is out, I prefer this model

North: Cincinnati, Temple, UConn, ECU, Army, Navy (Marshall or UMass)
South: USF, UCF, Houston, SMU, Tulane, Tulsa, Memphis.
9 conference games

My preference is Marshall over UMass.

Olympic sports additions would be Wichita State, VCU, and/or Dayton. I would go with all three and create regional divisions

North: UConn, Temple, Cincinnati, Dayton, (Marshall or UMass)
South: Memphis, ECU, VCU, USF, UCF
West: Tulane, Tulsa, SMU, Houston, Wichita State

Play all division rivals twice, play two cross-division rivals twice one from each division, and everyone else once for a total of 20 conference games. Basketball is now loaded with inventory, likely a 5 to 7 bid league, emphasis on regional rivalry games.

Marshall would a better football additional while UMass is a better basketball addition and far better academic institution. I prefer Marshall over UMass due to their football (likely to average more than 25,000 fans versus 10,000 for UMass) and the fact that it gives UC a regional opponent. Dayton, VCU, and Wichita State all sell out their arena on regular basis. Army football, Marshall football, VCU basketball, Dayton basketball, and Wichita State basketball all have fan bases that would make the event on TV look like its important.

You make good points about Marshall, but they don't fit the AAC model of schools in big markets. All but Tulsa and East Carolina fit that description. I'd go for a big city school or one that has a more expanded regional appeal. Huntington, WV, is a small, poor area. Go where the $$$ are.

(12-16-2016 10:52 AM)BearcatsUC Wrote:  

(12-16-2016 10:42 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  BYU
Army
Boise

To these I would add UTSA just to create another potential thorn in the B12's side. It's a vibrant, growing market as well.

Yep, thse are as good as any including w-state. However, espn's declining influence not likely to monetize the reach and additions. That will likely fall to the conference and streaming the way things are going, all conferences included.

(12-16-2016 08:23 AM)doss2 Wrote:  Considering geography, market size, etc.

1. UNCC - Large market, gets into ACC and would be all sports.

2. UMass - State flagship in populous area and would be all sports.

3. UTSA - Large market and all sports would balance West if UNCC or UMass were added.

TV and FB we know are the drivers.

No.

HELL no.

No.

(12-16-2016 11:35 AM)BearcatJerry Wrote:  

(12-16-2016 08:23 AM)doss2 Wrote:  Considering geography, market size, etc.

1. UNCC - Large market, gets into ACC and would be all sports.

2. UMass - State flagship in populous area and would be all sports.

3. UTSA - Large market and all sports would balance West if UNCC or UMass were added.

TV and FB we know are the drivers.

No.

HELL no.

No.

cosigned

No one of any significance is coming unless we get in the 5 to 10 mil range although we could get Wichita now.

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

(12-16-2016 02:22 PM)UConn to the Beast Wrote:  No one of any significance is coming unless we get in the 5 to 10 mil range although we could get Wichita now.

Sent from my SM-J700T using CSNbbs mobile app

I would argue Wichita would be getting us, not the other way around.

Which is why we are not in the Big 12. They saw it as we would be getting them, not they getting Cincinnati.

None of you brilliant posters who want Army have explained how to deal with Army/Navy being the last game of the year?

Easier to say than the logistics.

(12-16-2016 06:20 PM)doss2 Wrote:  None of you brilliant posters who want Army have explained how to deal with Army/Navy being the last game of the year?

Easier to say than the logistics.

I don't see any way outside of allowing them to play 3 non-con games, 8 conferences games, and the game is an extra game in a non-conference kind of way. There's no real way to keep it the last game of the year and conference mates.

Wake Forest then take their spot in the ACC.