I keeps seeing mega threads on G4 boards. Most discuss mergers between The Sun belt and CUSA. But a lot of these guys think the AAC is going to realign with them and try to put our programs in their conferences. Why. Serious question.

It's is obvious that Aresco and Co. want less than zero to do with the G4. It is also obvious that our entire conference strives to be a P6, if not already there. It's also obvious that all of our programs have made commitments to compete at the highest of levels. So, why do they insist on making us part of their mid major, mega conference, proposed mergers? I mean, I keep seeing these proposed geographical conferences like USF, UCF, FAU, FIU, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Charlotte, etc. I just don't get it. Why even bring up scenarios that just won't happen. EVER.

Leave the power leagues to the power leagues.

Trends are going in the other direction. Conferences are going to get smaller, not larger.

Apparently there is some sort of talked about Sun Belt/CUSA merger being tossed around. I don't know for sure, I just keep seeing it discussed. Then all of the posters throw AAC teams into this alignment. I have yet to hear one person from an AAC school talk about anything related to this, yet the G4 keeps trying to put our programs in this proposal.

EDIT: I have to say, by G4, I am mainly talking about Sun Belt/CUSA proposal, and not including the MAC or MWC in this. I haven't heard it out of them very much if at all.

Because the P4/P5 is going to exclude the AAC and Aresco will have no choice unless he wants to be the jilted middle child of college football.

(04-27-2017 10:53 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Because the P4/P5 is going to exclude the AAC and Aresco will have no choice unless he wants to be the jilted middle child of college football.

SO what does that make UMASS? Redheaded stepchild nobody wants?

When discussing more regional conferences, I haven't seen much inclusion of the AAC teams on other conference boards. Its mostly CUSA/SB reorganizations. That said, a lot depends on the next TV deal. If it were to be a bust---there might be some rethinking of the current half-continent conference structure. The only reason for that kind of travel is an increased footprint size designed to generate better TV earnings. If it isn't creating better TV earnings---then that wide footprint just counter productive.

Frankly, I think we will get a nice raise to 4-8 million a team in the next TV deal---but on some of the other boards, they think we will get $200K a team like CUSA. I think they are wrong. As long as we get at least what we make now, the AAC will not have any reason to reorganize in a more regional fashion. Basically, the talk of the AAC getting a $200K a team contract is derived from the tired erroneous often repeated mantra that "all non-autonomous conferences are the same". They aren't.

The G4 is fascinated with us because even though there is a divide between the AAC and the G4, we are the closest power conference to them. They can see us but thu just cant quite touch us...we are just out of reach and it drives them nuts.

(04-27-2017 10:59 AM)Attackcoog Wrote:  When discussing more regional conferences, I haven't seen much inclusion of the AAC teams on other conference boards. Its mostly CUSA/SB reorganizations. That said, a lot depends on the next TV deal. If it were to be a bust---there might be some rethinking of the current half-continent conference structure. The only reason for that kind of travel is an increased footprint size designed to generate better TV earnings. If it isn't creating better TV earnings---then that wide footprint just counter productive.

Frankly, I think we will get a nice raise to 4-8 million a team in the next TV deal---but on some of the other boards, they think we will get $200K a team like CUSA. I think they are wrong. As long as we get at least what we make now, the AAC will not have any reason to reorganize in a more regional fashion. Basically, the talk of the AAC getting a $200K a team contract is derived from the tired erroneous often repeated mantra that "all non-autonomous conferences are the same". They aren't.

Shrinking TV revenue is a CUSA problem, not a G5 problem. Yes, I have seen the news of ESPN downsizing, but it's mostly things like MNF, CFP, and NBA that ESPN has overpaid for. I haven't seen anything showing money is being lost on non-major conference media deals.

As for the AAC getting involved in a merger, I haven't seen anyone other than maybe a couple of delusional CUSA people really believe the AAC will be willing to get involved.

(04-27-2017 10:58 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(04-27-2017 10:53 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Because the P4/P5 is going to exclude the AAC and Aresco will have no choice unless he wants to be the jilted middle child of college football.

SO what does that make UMASS? Redheaded stepchild nobody wants?

Huh Huh..... good one


Wannabe..........

(04-27-2017 10:58 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(04-27-2017 10:53 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Because the P4/P5 is going to exclude the AAC and Aresco will have no choice unless he wants to be the jilted middle child of college football.

SO what does that make UMASS? Redheaded stepchild nobody wants?

no, no, they are our little abandoned misfit brother that just couldn't keep up with us in anything and now they are searching for a home....but can't find one

(04-27-2017 10:49 AM)BullsFanInTX Wrote:  Apparently there is some sort of talked about Sun Belt/CUSA merger being tossed around. I don't know for sure, I just keep seeing it discussed. Then all of the posters throw AAC teams into this alignment. I have yet to hear one person from an AAC school talk about anything related to this, yet the G4 keeps trying to put our programs in this proposal.

EDIT: I have to say, by G4, I am mainly talking about Sun Belt/CUSA proposal, and not including the MAC or MWC in this. I haven't heard it out of them very much if at all.

The MAC and MWC make quite a bit more from their media contracts than the SBC/CUSA schools.

The big issue those SBC/CUSA face is in addition to the piss poor media contracts, they have extensive travel. It makes a lot of sense for those conferences to merge and/or switch out members. With the MAC they are basically within such a close proximity to one another they can keep costs low by busing the athletes.

CUSA added a bunch of SB/FCS programs and then were shocked to get a SB/FCS level media deal. Some insist the AAC will get a similar haircut and then join with SB & CUSA to save on bus tickets.

But they seem to have forgotten that the AAC already went through this in 2013. The old BE added a bunch of CUSA 2.0 teams and then got a CUSA 2.0 level media deal.

This is all ridiculous.

(04-27-2017 01:07 PM)Huskypride Wrote:  

(04-27-2017 10:58 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(04-27-2017 10:53 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Because the P4/P5 is going to exclude the AAC and Aresco will have no choice unless he wants to be the jilted middle child of college football.

SO what does that make UMASS? Redheaded stepchild nobody wants?

no, no, they are our little abandoned misfit brother that just couldn't keep up with us in anything and now they are searching for a home....but can't find one

(04-27-2017 10:58 AM)Pony94 Wrote:  

(04-27-2017 10:53 AM)Eldonabe Wrote:  Because the P4/P5 is going to exclude the AAC and Aresco will have no choice unless he wants to be the jilted middle child of college football.

SO what does that make UMASS? Redheaded stepchild nobody wants?

Does McGuirk Stadium have bathrooms yet?

(04-27-2017 01:29 PM)MechaKnight Wrote:  CUSA added a bunch of SB/FCS programs and then were shocked to get a SB/FCS level media deal. Some insist the AAC will get a similar haircut and then join with SB & CUSA to save on bus tickets.

But they seem to have forgotten that the AAC already went through this in 2013. The old BE added a bunch of CUSA 2.0 teams and then got a CUSA 2.0 level media deal.

I think the difference is that the on-the-field performance of the AAC increased, and is easily on par with the old Big East... Which is why most think we will get a significant raise next round.

('Power' depends on what metric you use to measure it... TV $$, facilities, attendance, or on the field...)

(04-27-2017 01:29 PM)MechaKnight Wrote:  CUSA added a bunch of SB/FCS programs and then were shocked to get a SB/FCS level media deal. Some insist the AAC will get a similar haircut and then join with SB & CUSA to save on bus tickets.

But they seem to have forgotten that the AAC already went through this in 2013. The old BE added a bunch of CUSA 2.0 teams and then got a CUSA 2.0 level media deal.

The old Big East added a bunch of CUSA schools in 2004 (Louisville, Cincinnati, USF, Marquette, and DePaul) and got a Big East level media deal.

CUSA was always devalued for its bottom. When the cream was completely removed in the next expansion, I think a lot of people wondered what the results would be. The influx of investment for the incoming programs, along with the greater expectations, created a gulf between them and the left behinds. Combined with the old holdovers, and other additions, the AAC has trended more toward the P5 as a result.

(04-27-2017 11:14 AM)Bearcats#1 Wrote:  The G4 is fascinated with us because even though there is a divide between the AAC and the G4, we are the closest power conference to them. They can see us but thu just cant quite touch us...we are just out of reach and it drives them nuts.

Oly smokes, you nailed it, B1

CUSA merging with Sun Belt.

I break out into a cold sweat every time I think how close we were to being left behind in that dumpster fire.

Thank you AAC.

(04-27-2017 03:18 PM)8BitPirate Wrote:  CUSA merging with Sun Belt.

I break out into a cold sweat every time I think how close we were to being left behind in that dumpster fire.

Thank you AAC.

Spraying a little potpourri in your dumpster doesn't change the fact that you are still in a dumpster. When the smell wears off you will see where you sit. Right here with the rest that you "left behind".