Okay.... IF big IF you are interested in expansion, My personal opinion is ESPN controls it.... I think it is their money that makes it happen or not. So... I have thought this for a while and I think this (very indirectly) addresses it. I think ESPN is using this game as a measuring tape to decide how much... or IF to help fund expansion. The number of viewers will influence how much ESPN might be willing to offer the conference is they were to expand.

https://www.idahopress.com/blueturfsport...da196.html

It is a very good listen if you are interested in the game. UCF and obviously BSU represented here.

(05-21-2021 08:19 PM)4xGrad Wrote:  Okay.... IF big IF you are interested in expansion, My personal opinion is ESPN controls it.... I think it is their money that makes it happen or not. So... I have thought this for a while and I think this (very indirectly) addresses it. I think ESPN is using this game as a measuring tape to decide how much... or IF to help fund expansion. The number of viewers will influence how much ESPN might be willing to offer the conference is they were to expand.

https://www.idahopress.com/blueturfsport...da196.html

It is a very good listen if you are interested in the game. UCF and obviously BSU represented here.

If only we had an Mega thread dedicated to this....if only....

Oh, come on.... This IS about something specific. The BSU/UCF game, and the implications of the viewership of that game. I mean, I get what you are saying, but.... what's out? Long threads over 20 pages. What's in? Threads NOT over 20 pages.

(05-21-2021 08:19 PM)4xGrad Wrote:  Okay.... IF big IF you are interested in expansion, My personal opinion is ESPN controls it.... I think it is their money that makes it happen or not. So... I have thought this for a while and I think this (very indirectly) addresses it. I think ESPN is using this game as a measuring tape to decide how much... or IF to help fund expansion. The number of viewers will influence how much ESPN might be willing to offer the conference is they were to expand.

https://www.idahopress.com/blueturfsport...da196.html

It is a very good listen if you are interested in the game. UCF and obviously BSU represented here.

Nice find....Carson is a good egg.

(05-21-2021 08:19 PM)4xGrad Wrote:  Okay.... IF big IF you are interested in expansion, My personal opinion is ESPN controls it.... I think it is their money that makes it happen or not.

IMHO, you are correct. However, I don’t think there are or will be any “play-in” games. Media partners (mostly ESPN) already know what they have, what they want, how much they will pay, and when it will happen. Having said that, there is some wrangling on the edges (budgets, config, markets, support) over the last handful of schools for 12 or 14 (or 16 if they want thought I doubt they do), but the key is the NARRATIVE. ESPN will create it, control it, and speak it by into being. Would that be the case in a perfect world? Who knows? It is the case now. If forced to go all-in on who is the loudest, most powerful voice in these discussions, I’m going with ESPN.

(05-22-2021 08:50 PM)KnightLight Wrote:  [quote='4xGrad' pid='17433543' dateline='1621646353']
IF you are interested in expansion, My personal opinion is ESPN controls it.... I think it is their money that makes it happen or not. ...I think ESPN is using this game as a measuring tape to decide how much... or IF to help fund expansion. The number of viewers will influence how much ESPN might be willing to offer the conference is they were to expand.

ESPN certainly determines whether or not the AAC can expand before 2032, but the commissioner has said that ESPN hasn't shown any interest in dictating how many teams the conference should have.

Will it help if the BSU-AAC games have high viewership? Certainly, but ESPN's decisions will also be influenced by a wide variety of other factors, such as BSU's overall viewership and BSU's fortunes on the football field going forward.

p.s. Have you had any contact with Ibanez from the MWC board (his "name" here is "Reverend")? He has shown a lot of interest in the BSU to the AAC topic, and seems to be particularly well-informed about the situation and its history.

.

If we’ve been reminded one thing over the past 20-25 years of realignment it should be that contracts are made to be broken.