(02-23-2023 10:32 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(02-23-2023 05:38 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  AAC 101 main requirements:

Media MARKET, MSA

School Athletic Budget

They are Not going to change despite the "wishing" and hypotheticals on this thread.

Rinse and Repeat.

Look, it's February and there's not much else to talk about. Now hear my out no one has mentioned Northern Illinois yet. It is in the Chicagoland area and has as much market share there as Rice does in Houston. Maybe it's time for the AAC to stop messing around with these small tv markets like Dallas and step up to the big leagues by adding that #3 ranked Chicago tv market to the mix.

(02-23-2023 05:38 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  AAC 101 main requirements:

Media MARKET, MSA

School Athletic Budget

They are Not going to change despite the "wishing" and hypotheticals on this thread.

I agree that the AAC is not going to change this formula.

It will keep making what is IMO the same mistake of emphasizing markets and athletics budgets over and over.

(02-23-2023 05:08 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(02-23-2023 01:53 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 11:47 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 11:23 AM)jimrtex Wrote:  

(02-20-2023 05:33 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  I agree with your point, but I find it odd that the AAC targeted 6 CUSA teams and not a single Sun Belt team this last time around, especially when a few of those CUSA teams have questionable value in both major sports.

You find it odd that the AAC did not target any of App State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Troy, South Alabama, Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe, Louisana, or Texas State?

I mean the general person on the street or regular college football fan isn't going to be able to tell the difference between the list of Sun Belt schools and the list of CUSA -AAC adds.

a bunch of schools they know next to nothing about compared to a bunch of schools they know next to nothing about and Rice.

I'd argue that App State is much better known to casual fans than anyone they added. Maybe it was just Aresco being a moron and going for "markets," despite these teams all being part of the garbage CUSA TV deal!

I do think AppSt is a winning pick---but the Sunbelt folks claim none of the eastern SB teams would jump. Im not convinced of that---but that is the claim most of their fans seem to be making.

If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

(02-24-2023 09:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

Extremely unlikely. App has served a crucial role in the SBC expansion plans over the last 10 years. Look at a map: the schools added have literally created a circle around Appalachian State.

This is the regional conference we wanted when we moved up in 2013. We're selling more tickets than we ever have because of who we're playing. Fan interest would drop if we moved.

(02-24-2023 09:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  

(02-23-2023 05:08 PM)Attackcoog Wrote:  

(02-23-2023 01:53 PM)CitrusUCF Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 11:47 AM)ballantyneapp Wrote:  

(02-22-2023 11:23 AM)jimrtex Wrote:  You find it odd that the AAC did not target any of App State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia State, Georgia Southern, Troy, South Alabama, Arkansas State, Louisiana Monroe, Louisana, or Texas State?

I mean the general person on the street or regular college football fan isn't going to be able to tell the difference between the list of Sun Belt schools and the list of CUSA -AAC adds.

a bunch of schools they know next to nothing about compared to a bunch of schools they know next to nothing about and Rice.

I'd argue that App State is much better known to casual fans than anyone they added. Maybe it was just Aresco being a moron and going for "markets," despite these teams all being part of the garbage CUSA TV deal!

I do think AppSt is a winning pick---but the Sunbelt folks claim none of the eastern SB teams would jump. Im not convinced of that---but that is the claim most of their fans seem to be making.

If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

I would guess no. I'd be a little surprised if App State got the call and joined. Mostly because I don't think the AAC is calling a school 100 miles from a big-boy airport.

But also because the AAC advantage has almost evaporated. I don't think App State brings $7M of value to the table, so I expect ESPN will only approve a half-share. (Especially since ESPN has a confict of interest because why shank their Sun Belt proteges?)

So if App STate is looking at $2M a year in (if current propaganda is to be believed) their ideal regional conference, I'm skeptical that an extra $1.5M a year to play far-flung big city schools is attractive. Usually travel costs are highly overrated, but App State is a 6 hour drive from their entire division.

(02-24-2023 09:57 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(02-24-2023 09:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

I would guess no. I'd be a little surprised if App State got the call and joined. Mostly because I don't think the AAC is calling a school 100 miles from a big-boy airport.

But also because the AAC advantage has almost evaporated. I don't think App State brings $7M of value to the table, so I expect ESPN will only approve a half-share. (Especially since ESPN has a confict of interest because why shank their Sun Belt proteges?)

So if App STate is looking at $2M a year in (if current propaganda is to be believed) their ideal regional conference, I'm skeptical that an extra $1.5M a year to play far-flung big city schools is attractive. Usually travel costs are highly overrated, but App State is a 6 hour drive from their entire division.

You know what's crazy? People would rather write stuff like this instead of admitting to themselves that some schools might be exactly where they want to be. Nah, it HAS to be "propaganda" if it doesn't fit their personal narrative.

(02-24-2023 10:05 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  

(02-24-2023 09:57 AM)johnbragg Wrote:  

(02-24-2023 09:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

I would guess no. I'd be a little surprised if App State got the call and joined. Mostly because I don't think the AAC is calling a school 100 miles from a big-boy airport.

But also because the AAC advantage has almost evaporated. I don't think App State brings $7M of value to the table, so I expect ESPN will only approve a half-share. (Especially since ESPN has a confict of interest because why shank their Sun Belt proteges?)

So if App STate is looking at $2M a year in (if current propaganda is to be believed) their ideal regional conference, I'm skeptical that an extra $1.5M a year to play far-flung big city schools is attractive. Usually travel costs are highly overrated, but App State is a 6 hour drive from their entire division.

You know what's crazy? People would rather write stuff like this instead of admitting to themselves that some schools might be exactly where they want to be. Nah, it HAS to be "propaganda" if it doesn't fit their personal narrative.

we've seen so many schools pledge allegusncd to their current situation and praise it to the skies, then bolt fir z minor advantage. yes I'm cynical.

I don't think App State takes an invite from Aresco. but I wouldn't be very surprised.

(02-24-2023 09:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

App State was the driving force behind the last SBC expansion. They lobbied hard for App State-centric bus league with multiple rivalries based on history and geography. There's zero reason to leave after having everything they wanted tbh.

(02-24-2023 10:31 AM)GSUALUM17 Wrote:  

(02-24-2023 09:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

App State was the driving force behind the last SBC expansion. They lobbied hard for App State-centric bus league with multiple rivalries based on history and geography. There's zero reason to leave after having everything they wanted tbh.

That Eastern Division is a thing of beauty!

(02-24-2023 09:34 AM)Yosef181 Wrote:  

(02-24-2023 09:00 AM)quo vadis Wrote:  If SMU leaves, will the media money advantage of the AAC be enough for an App State to want to join?

IMO probably, but maybe not, as IMO the SBC will arguably as good a football conference, and a better cultural fit.

Extremely unlikely. App has served a crucial role in the SBC expansion plans over the last 10 years. Look at a map: the schools added have literally created a circle around Appalachian State.

This is the regional conference we wanted when we moved up in 2013. We're selling more tickets than we ever have because of who we're playing. Fan interest would drop if we moved.

Well, I won't argue with an App State supporter about it, so you've convinced me.

Sometimes we look at this issue too broadly.

Which league (SBC or AAC) is "best" depends on the school, history, context, etc.

As a Memphis fan, I would much prefer the university be a member of the AAC than the Sun Belt, for reasons that every fair-minded Belt fan on this board understands and that some (like the classy Michael in Raleigh) have acknowledged. I like the AAC model of "big city locales/well-rounded combo of sports/blend of public and private schools/strong academics (with many members offering law/business/med schools)/etc." That is perfect for the urban and hoops-centric U of Memphis. If the AAC is "less good" in football than the Belt or the Mountain West ... so be it. I can live with that.

In contrast, and as a Middle Tennessee State fan, I would strongly prefer MTSU be a member (hypothetically) of the Sun Belt more so than the AAC. The SBC is a football-first league comprised primarily of modestly academically noteworthy universities (and I note that with all due respect) located primarily in smallish towns/cities and with very dedicated football fan bases. MTSU could benefit nicely from membership in such a league.