Should the MAC and the Sunbelt merge?

I can’t see any reason for the MAC to sit idle and let the other conferences pass them by. To me we need to make changes and to do it fast. If not the Sunbelt then someone else or a combination of schools from multiple conferences. But the Sunbelt is more geographically suited for a merge with the MAC

What's the common understanding, the purpose of a merger?

Economic? Can two conferences can still create a common contract with sports television, apparel companies? Merging make's that easier, mre economic?
Rivalries and gate? manufacturing rivalies, do people fall for that? Rivalries tend to be more organic.
Gambling? IDK how this plays in. It's BIG money.

Who will they be gaining power relative to? If conferences were stocks and I was looking for a riser, I'd be putting my money into the Academies, the southern conferences or HBCUs. MAC has to have something to offer the Sunbelt in the way of rising viewership not just more viewership. Can they do that? Do we really want them to have stronger recruiting up here? Choosing between warm-weather and the land where Great Gramps came from, we could lose a good portion of urban play ground in Michigan and Ohio cities, as well as Chicago.

The earlier proposed additions of Middle Tenn and W. Kentucky intrigue IF the historical connection could be made as several of these were stops or near stops of the underground railroad as well as the turn of century and post war migration for industrial jobs. It could however also be seen as appropriating that relationship for economic gain as I'm not aware any of the MAC has made an effort in researching and improving the understanding of that history.

(07-05-2022 10:26 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  What's the common understanding, the purpose of a merger?

Economic? Can two conferences can still create a common contract with sports television, apparel companies? Merging make's that easier, mre economic?
Rivalries and gate? manufacturing rivalies, do people fall for that? Rivalries tend to be more organic.
Gambling? IDK how this plays in. It's BIG money.

Who will they be gaining power relative to? If conferences were stocks and I was looking for a riser, I'd be putting my money into the Academies, the southern conferences or HBCUs. MAC has to have something to offer the Sunbelt in the way of rising viewership not just more viewership. Can they do that? Do we really want them to have stronger recruiting up here? Choosing between warm-weather and the land where Great Gramps came from, we could lose a good portion of urban play ground in Michigan and Ohio cities, as well as Chicago.

The earlier proposed additions of Middle Tenn and W. Kentucky intrigue IF the historical connection could be made as several of these were stops or near stops of the underground railroad as well as the turn of century and post war migration for industrial jobs. It could however also be seen as appropriating that relationship for economic gain as I'm not aware any of the MAC has made an effort in researching and improving the understanding of that history.

Some very good points there East. We are witnessing a couple conferences getting ripped apart right now. We can see that the dominoes are falling all around us. I just feel the MAC should act before we are the victims and get taken apart and it has no strength to attract tv or even players. I know it sounds far fetched but look what happened to cusa, the big east or the wac

(07-05-2022 06:28 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  

(07-05-2022 10:26 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  What's the common understanding, the purpose of a merger?

Economic? Can two conferences can still create a common contract with sports television, apparel companies? Merging make's that easier, mre economic?
Rivalries and gate? manufacturing rivalies, do people fall for that? Rivalries tend to be more organic.
Gambling? IDK how this plays in. It's BIG money.

Who will they be gaining power relative to? If conferences were stocks and I was looking for a riser, I'd be putting my money into the Academies, the southern conferences or HBCUs. MAC has to have something to offer the Sunbelt in the way of rising viewership not just more viewership. Can they do that? Do we really want them to have stronger recruiting up here? Choosing between warm-weather and the land where Great Gramps came from, we could lose a good portion of urban play ground in Michigan and Ohio cities, as well as Chicago.

The earlier proposed additions of Middle Tenn and W. Kentucky intrigue IF the historical connection could be made as several of these were stops or near stops of the underground railroad as well as the turn of century and post war migration for industrial jobs. It could however also be seen as appropriating that relationship for economic gain as I'm not aware any of the MAC has made an effort in researching and improving the understanding of that history.

Some very good points there East. We are witnessing a couple conferences getting ripped apart right now. We can see that the dominoes are falling all around us. I just feel the MAC should act before we are the victims and get taken apart and it has no strength to attract tv or even players. I know it sounds far fetched but look what happened to cusa, the big east or the wac

I don't think it far fetched at all. I hadn't thought of it form the view of traditional schools LEAVING the MAC. Other than Buffalo and us, lol.

I do like the MAC conference. I think it has a great identity. If power in numbers, maybe it is time to try and find a conference to merge with as opposed to inviting new schools in.

(07-05-2022 07:22 PM)eastisbest Wrote:  

(07-05-2022 06:28 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  

(07-05-2022 10:26 AM)eastisbest Wrote:  What's the common understanding, the purpose of a merger?

Economic? Can two conferences can still create a common contract with sports television, apparel companies? Merging make's that easier, mre economic?
Rivalries and gate? manufacturing rivalies, do people fall for that? Rivalries tend to be more organic.
Gambling? IDK how this plays in. It's BIG money.

Who will they be gaining power relative to? If conferences were stocks and I was looking for a riser, I'd be putting my money into the Academies, the southern conferences or HBCUs. MAC has to have something to offer the Sunbelt in the way of rising viewership not just more viewership. Can they do that? Do we really want them to have stronger recruiting up here? Choosing between warm-weather and the land where Great Gramps came from, we could lose a good portion of urban play ground in Michigan and Ohio cities, as well as Chicago.

The earlier proposed additions of Middle Tenn and W. Kentucky intrigue IF the historical connection could be made as several of these were stops or near stops of the underground railroad as well as the turn of century and post war migration for industrial jobs. It could however also be seen as appropriating that relationship for economic gain as I'm not aware any of the MAC has made an effort in researching and improving the understanding of that history.

Some very good points there East. We are witnessing a couple conferences getting ripped apart right now. We can see that the dominoes are falling all around us. I just feel the MAC should act before we are the victims and get taken apart and it has no strength to attract tv or even players. I know it sounds far fetched but look what happened to cusa, the big east or the wac

I don't think it far fetched at all. I hadn't thought of it form the view of traditional schools LEAVING the MAC. Other than Buffalo and us, lol.

I do like the MAC conference. I think it has a great identity. If power in numbers, maybe it is time to try and find a conference to merge with as opposed to inviting new schools in.

I just don't know what kind of value a merger would bring in. It isn't like it would immediately cause the conference's media payout to increase...the Big 12 and Pac 12 are doing it out of necessity/survival, not because it will make them more. The MAC as it exists is perfect for the schools who call it home...a conference which cuts down on expenses as much as possible by allowing for minimal travel.

https://www.yardbarker.com/college_footb...?fs=e&s=cl

Nothing positive going on here. But this is on top of news that the sec is trying to get Clemson. North Carolina, Florida and Virginia to join them.

Big changes coming and I believe every conference will be affected. I do not want Toledo to leave the MAC. I don’t feel it’s in their best interest. Unless it’s merger with another conference “the Sunbelt would be best. Or an entirely new conference of geographically associated with teams from our area.
Or maybe the MAC will change their mind and aggressively go after some schools.

(07-07-2022 11:19 PM)Babes boy Wrote:  https://www.yardbarker.com/college_footb...?fs=e&s=cl

Nothing positive going on here. But this is on top of news that the sec is trying to get Clemson. North Carolina, Florida and Virginia to join them.

Big changes coming and I believe every conference will be affected. I do not want Toledo to leave the MAC. I don’t feel it’s in their best interest. Unless it’s merger with another conference “the Sunbelt would be best. Or an entirely new conference of geographically associated with teams from our area.
Or maybe the MAC will change their mind and aggressively go after some schools.

Horizon is the only other option for basketball. Nice conference, no football. Sunbelt or bust? I wonder is there any talk in their boards of them merging with MAC? If no, its probably a non-starter.