I’d do this across the road but too many people are wrapped around the axles there. If some come lurking and want to participate feel free. Let’s be civil. This is something that popped in my head as I was coming off my buzz.
This whole mess started with the SEC and OU/Texas. That caused a domino effect. The Big XII snatched up Cincy, Houston, and UCF from the AAC along with BYU. The AAC didn’t want to be caught with their ass blowing in the breeze so they grabbed up the 6 from CUSA. Then that left the SBC to invite 3 from CUSA and one FCS team. This left CUSA with 5 after everyone leaves. CUSA says oh no and grabs Liberty and NMST. Then gets two FCS teams to move up.
Nothing really happens until Oklahoma and Texas leaves them everything is supposed to react. This is set to occur in 2023 except the kicker is that two conferences actually have room— The SEC and The Belt. JMU made the move. Not a biggie to anyone. But then the 3 from the SBC decided to move. This shouldn’t be a problem. CUSA still has 11 teams and nothing changes.
What if the SEC is eyeing this. Follow me. They see teams can leave early and tells Texas and Oklahoma to work it out and come next season if possible. Well they work it out and now the SEC is whole for 22. The Big XII says ok and does the same with the AAC and trickles down.
So now realignment happens a year early who is affected? CUSA. They now only have 5 teams for a season. Would that deter Liberty? Maybe not. Would that deter NM? Who knows? What about the two FCS schools?
So I say all this to beg the question who’s pulling the strings? I mean all conferences but one has a media deal with the Mouse. Hell even Liberty has a deal with the Mouse.
Is Mickey vindictive enough to crush a conference because of negotiations from a few years back? Would it crush CUSA?
This is not a sick fantasy of a new SBC’er. Just a peckerwood who watches a ton of mysteries and likes a good conspiracy theory. All are welcome to have input but let’s have some sense about it.
I like the theory, but I think the Big12 has actually bylaws that are more clear on early exits. That said, depending on the injunction, that may work its way back up the chain, but if I remember right, if UT/OU left they'd still owe a pallet of cash.
Don't get me wrong, they're definitely watching, but I'd say the AAC would be as far as dominoes fall. They're definitely licking their lips
As far as who's pulling the strings, has the be the Mouse
I love a good conspiracy! This ain’t happening though. No way this unfolds before the Fall of ‘23.
Never underestimate ESPN s part in all of this!! Very fortunately the Sun Belt has a good relationship with The Mouse
WVU left early and had to pay a massive bill for the privilege. Most conferences have damages if they leave early. On top of that it would be a lot easier to prove massive financial losses from Texas and Oklahoma leaving early while with us it wouldn't be as easy. They are two of the most watched teams in college sports. Money that goes to the conferences not them.
(02-12-2022 09:10 PM)HerdFanGuest Wrote: [ -> ]I like the theory, but I think the Big12 has actually bylaws that are more clear on early exits. That said, depending on the injunction, that may work its way back up the chain, but if I remember right, if UT/OU left they'd still owe a pallet of cash.
Don't get me wrong, they're definitely watching, but I'd say the AAC would be as far as dominoes fall. They're definitely licking their lips
As far as who's pulling the strings, has the be the Mouse
UT has more money than Gawd, doubt they give a rat’s azzzzz about potential financial penalties..
(02-12-2022 09:19 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote: [ -> ] (02-12-2022 09:10 PM)HerdFanGuest Wrote: [ -> ]I like the theory, but I think the Big12 has actually bylaws that are more clear on early exits. That said, depending on the injunction, that may work its way back up the chain, but if I remember right, if UT/OU left they'd still owe a pallet of cash.
Don't get me wrong, they're definitely watching, but I'd say the AAC would be as far as dominoes fall. They're definitely licking their lips
As far as who's pulling the strings, has the be the Mouse
UT has more money than Gawd, doubt they give a rat’s azzzzz about potential financial penalties..
That's true, but they didn't get that account by flushing millions for a wild weekend.
I don't know enough about OUs finances either.
(02-12-2022 09:21 PM)HerdFanGuest Wrote: [ -> ] (02-12-2022 09:19 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote: [ -> ] (02-12-2022 09:10 PM)HerdFanGuest Wrote: [ -> ]I like the theory, but I think the Big12 has actually bylaws that are more clear on early exits. That said, depending on the injunction, that may work its way back up the chain, but if I remember right, if UT/OU left they'd still owe a pallet of cash.
Don't get me wrong, they're definitely watching, but I'd say the AAC would be as far as dominoes fall. They're definitely licking their lips
As far as who's pulling the strings, has the be the Mouse
UT has more money than Gawd, doubt they give a rat’s azzzzz about potential financial penalties..
That's true, but they didn't get that account by flushing millions for a wild weekend.
I don't know enough about OUs finances either.
TX is a collegiate Cancer . . . That separate network deal they cut, to the exclusion of all their conference mates (Longhorn Network) is what drove A&M to The SEC.
The kind of money you’re talking about for them leaving early (if they were to) is called “Chump Change” in these parts . . . .
It's fun to think about but I really don't see Texas and OU leaving early. I think we would have already been hearing the rumblings if that were the case. Now, let's say it does happen. Well, Liberty and NMSt would be more than happy to move now and that leaves cusa sitting on 7. I think the NCAA would give them the year to get to 8 because they already have the commitments from the FCS bunch. It might put cusa in a bind for 2022 but it wouldn't kill them. Fun to think about though.
(02-12-2022 09:26 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote: [ -> ]TX is a collegiate Cancer . . . That separate network deal they cut, to the exclusion of all their conference mates (Longhorn Network) is what drove A&M to The SEC.
The kind of money you’re talking about for them leaving early (if they were to) is called “Chump Change” in these parts . . . .
Texas aside, hows OUs pockets?
I'll be the first to say I'm ignorant on how they both operate.
So let's say they go and the AAC6 go to B12, do you know what the stipulations are for Cincy, Houston, and UCF leaving early?
(02-12-2022 09:30 PM)HerdFanGuest Wrote: [ -> ] (02-12-2022 09:26 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote: [ -> ]TX is a collegiate Cancer . . . That separate network deal they cut, to the exclusion of all their conference mates (Longhorn Network) is what drove A&M to The SEC.
The kind of money you’re talking about for them leaving early (if they were to) is called “Chump Change” in these parts . . . .
Texas aside, hows OUs pockets?
I'll be the first to say I'm ignorant on how they both operate.
So let's say they go and the AAC6 go to B12, do you know what the stipulations are for Cincy, Houston, and UCF leaving early?
Honestly, don’t know much about Sooner finances . . . . and I personally doubt that either will actually leave early, just sayin’ that if it were to happen, financial penalties would not have a bearing on that decision in Austin.
OU's budget is right around $160million. I think they'd survive alright making the move early if they wanted to
(02-12-2022 09:19 PM)Eagleyed Wrote: [ -> ]WVU left early and had to pay a massive bill for the privilege. Most conferences have damages if they leave early. On top of that it would be a lot easier to prove massive financial losses from Texas and Oklahoma leaving early while with us it wouldn't be as easy. They are two of the most watched teams in college sports. Money that goes to the conferences not them.
They didn't pay sh!t. We, the people of WV, paid for it.
If the AAC 6 leave early then CUSA would have a real case for damages and we would be sucked right into that group. As it stands with just the three leaving there is no real financial impact other than some extra paper to re-write the schedule. I'd prefer we fly under the radar for this next year and then it's all over with.
I do think this more than a year period is dumb. If announced before Christmas teams should be expected to finish out the athletic year and then be allowed to move giving their old conference the spring and summer to make adjustments. If they announce after the New Year, then they should still be allowed to go, but pay a reasonable fee to get out early. There is no benefit to forcing a team to stay for a lame duck year for the team or either conference. Greed is the only motive. And that's only the short term so they can claim 2 years of payouts. It does irreparable harm to the fans and the fans are what makes the whole thing go around.
It’s not the conference contract that is the issue with the Big XII and the ACC, it’s the media rights deal that have that is causing UT/OU to stay out. For them to pay nothing, they would have to stay until 2025, that is because that is when the media rights contract ends, the ACC is like 2034 or something crazy.
If everyone were to move early, there is nothing stopping all 4 teams headed to CUSA from making the move as well.
Here’s my super crazy, to early on a Sunday morning thought. Since there is no limit to conference members, what stops CUSA from having an open invitation to all FCS teams, across the country, if you want FBS, come and get it. As long as you meet the 16 sports and a stadium capable of holding 15,000+ you’re in. Have like 30 teams in the conference and essentially become that middle ground between FBS and FCS. They could hold a 4 team playoff and crown a national champions of the conference. Literally have teams all across the country, making CUSA mean what it’s called.
IF the mouse supported it, is there anything stopping the B12 from adding the 3 AAC schools plus BYU early? The B12 would be at 14.
At that point the CUSA 6 could go AAC also.
Maybe all the lower dominos could fall into place before TX and OU move.
The problems for CUSA would be:
- can NMSU and UTEP rework their schedules this late?
- can SHSU and JSU meet FBS criteria early? They might have issues with things like attendance numbers (SHSU doesn't even have enough seats)
- would CUSA be guaranteed a waiver if they can't get new members onboard? What if NCAA said no?
I don't think its super likely, but there is a potential crisis here for CUSA if all 9 left early.
(02-13-2022 08:40 AM)JMURocks Wrote: [ -> ]IF the mouse supported it, is there anything stopping the B12 from adding the 3 AAC schools plus BYU early? The B12 would be at 14.
At that point the CUSA 6 could go AAC also.
Maybe all the lower dominos could fall into place before TX and OU move.
The problems for CUSA would be:
- can NMSU and UTEP rework their schedules this late?
- can SHSU and JSU meet FBS criteria early? They might have issues with things like attendance numbers (SHSU doesn't even have enough seats)
- would CUSA be guaranteed a waiver if they can't get new members onboard? What if NCAA said no?
I don't think its super likely, but there is a potential crisis here for CUSA if all 9 left early.
Problem for the Big XII is if they add those teams early, OU/UT bolt early. They could use the addition of those teams as an excuse and say the Big XII added those schools and somehow broke the contract. Therefore giving OU/UT a way out and save some money.
OU/UT have no desire to share a conference with those 4 teams.
You know what people have been saying about conspiracies lately.
"What is the difference between a conspiracy theory and reality? ..... Six months."
I'd say the OP could be on to something.
(02-13-2022 03:07 PM)AppfanInCAAland Wrote: [ -> ]"What is the difference between a conspiracy theory and reality? ..... Six months."
Definitely some hard truths to this.