To clarify, JMU already meets the standard for FBS and Title IX.
To compete in FBS, a school must compete in at least 16 (JMU competes in 17) varsity sports, including football. Of those 16, at least six (JMU fields the minimum 6) must be men's sports and at least eight (JMU fields 11) must be women's sports.
JMU is under no pressure to move anywhere and quite frankly, after turning down the SBC, I do not believe they are interested whatsoever.
Their academic and athletic programs are healthy, as are their facilities.
Their football is at the pinnacle right now.
Their current conference affords rivalries and, for the most part, acceptable travel.
Additionally, I suspect that the JMU athletic budget is maxed out, and a move up would require approval by the state legislature and scrutiny of student fees. Currently the conference media payouts at G5 are likely not enticing enough to make the JMU admin consider it.
Some say that JMU is waiting for a call from the AAC or a P5.
The AAC seems unlikely and a P5 virtually impossible, both dueto Madison's profile as a Regional institution with minimal doctoral and research.
programs.
The cost of moving up as an indy in football is huge. Liberty did it because it has almost unlimited resources. UMass calculated that A10 rewards would outweigh losses in football.
JMU does not have either Liberty's or UMass' advantages.
The VERY small percentage of the JMU fanbase that makes up the delusional forum posters aside, I honestly don't believe we will see JMU moving up anytime soon, if ever, even for the hypothetical east coast conference.