(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:46 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Temple be content with the UMass model?
They don't fit in with the AAC but there isn't a better football conference for them

I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

Agreed. A10 needs to shed its anchors. Unfortunately, especially after the Temple/Big East divorce, I think it is very unlikely a conference ever expels one of its members unless it is really bad.

As long as Villanova remains in the Big East, I don't see how Temple ever gets an invitation. Football aside, Temple would be a terrific addition to help balance UConn in the Big East. They are easily a top-30 basketball program, historically, have a modern, new(er) arena that seats over 10k, are located in a big east coast metropolitan city (Philadelphia) and (arguably) remain a basketball-first athletic department.

Philadelphia is more than big enough, market-wise, to support a second top-basketball program in the city. Unfortunately, again, I just don't see Villanova ever agreeing to that (rightfully so).

I do agree with Frank - if/when Memphis departs the AAC, I don't see anything keeping Temple on-board. The top basketball programs would have all departed (UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis), and there would be zero geographic ties to anyone in the league (ECU is neither a historical or geographic rival).

Why not a straight trade? St. Louis olympics for Temple's. Minimal exit/entry fees, say $2 million. Everyone saves money on travel costs.

Is there any reporting out of Fort Collins to suggest Colorado State is actually interested?

For example, in the Fort Collins Coloradoan, I see reporting about the Rams' upset win over Toledo, but I do not see a local report on CBS's assertion that the American Athletic is considering adding Colorado State. I'm puzzled by that.

(09-21-2021 11:27 AM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 09:06 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 08:18 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(09-20-2021 09:21 PM)esayem Wrote:  It’s not lost on me that the AAC is trying to plant a flag in the middle of unoccupied Big XII country.

Yes and that approach makes sense to me. I have been pretty critical of Aresco up to this point, but if this is what he’s thinking, then good for him. Adding schools that still have to compete directly with the SEC and ACC (much less the newly expanded footprint of the Big 12) is always going to be a cap on the league’s ability to raise revenue. By contrast, the entire Mountain Time Zone only has 3 P5 schools (Colorado, Utah and now BYU). There’s so much less competition in that region - for TV purposes, you’d rather own or at least be the #2 league in a Pacific/Mountain Time Zone region than be the 3rd or 4th choice in an Eastern/Central Time Zone region. (I’ve long felt that the focus on ET/CT is totally irrelevant. If you have good brands in the ET/CT, then sure, those *brands* provide value, but the time zones themselves aren’t what’s valuable.)

Air Force by virtue of its academic mission is a national brand.

Colorado State is the strongest of the remaining front range schools.

They give some but not Pacific time flexibility in broadcast windows and maximum potential viewers in the furthest west feasible area for AAC.

AFA threatened independence in 2011 with Utah and BYU departure but couldn’t find an Olympic sports home they considered acceptable and we know they contacted the Valley.

They’ve expressed displeasure over MWC tv revenue sharing being eat what you kill rather than an equity partnership.

Air Force has been seeking an acceptable alternative to MWC for just over a decade. Things finally lined up for them.

A good friend in athletics at the AFA tells me he doesn't think they are moving.

How high up on the chain is this friend of yours?

(09-21-2021 11:33 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:46 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Temple be content with the UMass model?
They don't fit in with the AAC but there isn't a better football conference for them

I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

Agreed. A10 needs to shed its anchors. Unfortunately, especially after the Temple/Big East divorce, I think it is very unlikely a conference ever expels one of its members unless it is really bad.

As long as Villanova remains in the Big East, I don't see how Temple ever gets an invitation. Football aside, Temple would be a terrific addition to help balance UConn in the Big East. They are easily a top-30 basketball program, historically, have a modern, new(er) arena that seats over 10k, are located in a big east coast metropolitan city (Philadelphia) and (arguably) remain a basketball-first athletic department.

Philadelphia is more than big enough, market-wise, to support a second top-basketball program in the city. Unfortunately, again, I just don't see Villanova ever agreeing to that (rightfully so).

I do agree with Frank - if/when Memphis departs the AAC, I don't see anything keeping Temple on-board. The top basketball programs would have all departed (UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis), and there would be zero geographic ties to anyone in the league (ECU is neither a historical or geographic rival).

I do, a 10 million dollar exit fee and looking north at UMASS to see what independence and the A-10 looks like. Go ahead and ask UMASS if they'd join the AAC still if Memphis left.

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:46 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Temple be content with the UMass model?
They don't fit in with the AAC but there isn't a better football conference for them

I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

They expanded beyond 14 for Butler and VCU. They'd expand beyond 14 for Temple, who'd be in the upper echelon of the league for value (VCU, Dayton, SLU, Temple).

(09-21-2021 12:47 PM)IWokeUpLikeThis Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:46 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Temple be content with the UMass model?
They don't fit in with the AAC but there isn't a better football conference for them

I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

They expanded beyond 14 for Butler and VCU. They'd expand beyond 14 for Temple, who'd be in the upper echelon of the league for value (VCU, Dayton, SLU, Temple).

I see the AAC, CUSA and Sun Belt reorganizing or dissolving.

East Coast: North Division: Buffalo, Temple, UMASS, UCONN, JMU, Army and Navy.

South Division: Old Dominion, Liberty, East Carolina, Charlotte, South Florida, FAU, and FIU.

AAC/Sun Belt: West: Arkansas State, Louisiana, Rice, Southern Miss, Tulane, SMU, Tulsa

East: UAB, Appalachian State, Coastal Carolina, Georgia Southern, Georgia State, Marshall, South Alabama,Troy.

CUSA: East: Central Arkansas, Jacksonville State, Middle Tennessee, Eastern Kentucky, Western Kentucky, Louisiana Monroe, and Louisiana Tech.

West: Lamar, Sam Houston, Stephen F. Austin, Texas State, UTSA, UTEP, and NMSU.

(09-21-2021 11:27 AM)AppManDG Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 09:06 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 08:18 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(09-20-2021 09:21 PM)esayem Wrote:  It’s not lost on me that the AAC is trying to plant a flag in the middle of unoccupied Big XII country.

Yes and that approach makes sense to me. I have been pretty critical of Aresco up to this point, but if this is what he’s thinking, then good for him. Adding schools that still have to compete directly with the SEC and ACC (much less the newly expanded footprint of the Big 12) is always going to be a cap on the league’s ability to raise revenue. By contrast, the entire Mountain Time Zone only has 3 P5 schools (Colorado, Utah and now BYU). There’s so much less competition in that region - for TV purposes, you’d rather own or at least be the #2 league in a Pacific/Mountain Time Zone region than be the 3rd or 4th choice in an Eastern/Central Time Zone region. (I’ve long felt that the focus on ET/CT is totally irrelevant. If you have good brands in the ET/CT, then sure, those *brands* provide value, but the time zones themselves aren’t what’s valuable.)

Air Force by virtue of its academic mission is a national brand.

Colorado State is the strongest of the remaining front range schools.

They give some but not Pacific time flexibility in broadcast windows and maximum potential viewers in the furthest west feasible area for AAC.

AFA threatened independence in 2011 with Utah and BYU departure but couldn’t find an Olympic sports home they considered acceptable and we know they contacted the Valley.

They’ve expressed displeasure over MWC tv revenue sharing being eat what you kill rather than an equity partnership.

Air Force has been seeking an acceptable alternative to MWC for just over a decade. Things finally lined up for them.

A good friend in athletics at the AFA tells me he doesn't think they are moving.

A better friend told me they are going to accept and Apps application was rejected.

(09-21-2021 11:36 AM)SMUfan Wrote:  Why not a straight trade? St. Louis olympics for Temple's. Minimal exit/entry fees, say $2 million. Everyone saves money on travel costs.

That's what I was thinking.

Makes a ton of sense, but will never happen

(09-21-2021 11:48 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:33 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:46 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Temple be content with the UMass model?
They don't fit in with the AAC but there isn't a better football conference for them

I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

Agreed. A10 needs to shed its anchors. Unfortunately, especially after the Temple/Big East divorce, I think it is very unlikely a conference ever expels one of its members unless it is really bad.

As long as Villanova remains in the Big East, I don't see how Temple ever gets an invitation. Football aside, Temple would be a terrific addition to help balance UConn in the Big East. They are easily a top-30 basketball program, historically, have a modern, new(er) arena that seats over 10k, are located in a big east coast metropolitan city (Philadelphia) and (arguably) remain a basketball-first athletic department.

Philadelphia is more than big enough, market-wise, to support a second top-basketball program in the city. Unfortunately, again, I just don't see Villanova ever agreeing to that (rightfully so).

I do agree with Frank - if/when Memphis departs the AAC, I don't see anything keeping Temple on-board. The top basketball programs would have all departed (UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis), and there would be zero geographic ties to anyone in the league (ECU is neither a historical or geographic rival).

I do, a 10 million dollar exit fee and looking north at UMASS to see what independence and the A-10 looks like. Go ahead and ask UMASS if they'd join the AAC still if Memphis left.

Totally agree. Going independent would be a fool’s errand for Temple and they won’t accept going to the MAC for all sports so they really have no other options. An independent scheduling alliance with Army, UConn (who should drop back to FCS), UMass (ditto on dropping back down), Liberty and NMSU is worse than the future AAC matchups in FB.

(09-21-2021 03:03 PM)CarlSmithCenter Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:48 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:33 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

Agreed. A10 needs to shed its anchors. Unfortunately, especially after the Temple/Big East divorce, I think it is very unlikely a conference ever expels one of its members unless it is really bad.

As long as Villanova remains in the Big East, I don't see how Temple ever gets an invitation. Football aside, Temple would be a terrific addition to help balance UConn in the Big East. They are easily a top-30 basketball program, historically, have a modern, new(er) arena that seats over 10k, are located in a big east coast metropolitan city (Philadelphia) and (arguably) remain a basketball-first athletic department.

Philadelphia is more than big enough, market-wise, to support a second top-basketball program in the city. Unfortunately, again, I just don't see Villanova ever agreeing to that (rightfully so).

I do agree with Frank - if/when Memphis departs the AAC, I don't see anything keeping Temple on-board. The top basketball programs would have all departed (UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis), and there would be zero geographic ties to anyone in the league (ECU is neither a historical or geographic rival).

I do, a 10 million dollar exit fee and looking north at UMASS to see what independence and the A-10 looks like. Go ahead and ask UMASS if they'd join the AAC still if Memphis left.

Totally agree. Going independent would be a fool’s errand for Temple and they won’t accept going to the MAC for all sports so they really have no other options. An independent scheduling alliance with Army, UConn (who should drop back to FCS), UMass (ditto on dropping back down), Liberty and NMSU is worse than the future AAC matchups in FB.

It may behoove Temple to push for football-only membership in the AAC along with Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Hypothetically, the rumor is Memphis may be joined by Boise St (not my rumor nor my preference) in the XII. Let's say Memphis leaves the AAC and the MWC picks up UTEP. Temple transitions to football-only, AAC adds (as football-only) Connecticut and Massachusetts, and the AAC adds Marshall, Southern Miss, and UAB as full members.

East: Connecticut*/BIG EAST, East Carolina, Marshall, Massachusetts*/A10, South Florida, Temple*/A10
West: Navy*/PATRIOT, SMU, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB
* Football-only
^ Non-football: Wichita St

Temple's future in the AAC would be totally dependent on the money.

Temple's not going back to the A-10 if it leaves media revenue on the table. As it stands, the AAC has a $7.5 million TV deal. In the A-10, they're losing media revenue compared to that. If they got the "Navy Share" of AAC revenue, and the A-10 slice, they can only make more revenue if they're reeling off 2 NCAA appearances or wins every six seasons.

(09-21-2021 04:22 PM)BePcr07 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 03:03 PM)CarlSmithCenter Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:48 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:33 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

Agreed. A10 needs to shed its anchors. Unfortunately, especially after the Temple/Big East divorce, I think it is very unlikely a conference ever expels one of its members unless it is really bad.

As long as Villanova remains in the Big East, I don't see how Temple ever gets an invitation. Football aside, Temple would be a terrific addition to help balance UConn in the Big East. They are easily a top-30 basketball program, historically, have a modern, new(er) arena that seats over 10k, are located in a big east coast metropolitan city (Philadelphia) and (arguably) remain a basketball-first athletic department.

Philadelphia is more than big enough, market-wise, to support a second top-basketball program in the city. Unfortunately, again, I just don't see Villanova ever agreeing to that (rightfully so).

I do agree with Frank - if/when Memphis departs the AAC, I don't see anything keeping Temple on-board. The top basketball programs would have all departed (UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis), and there would be zero geographic ties to anyone in the league (ECU is neither a historical or geographic rival).

I do, a 10 million dollar exit fee and looking north at UMASS to see what independence and the A-10 looks like. Go ahead and ask UMASS if they'd join the AAC still if Memphis left.

Totally agree. Going independent would be a fool’s errand for Temple and they won’t accept going to the MAC for all sports so they really have no other options. An independent scheduling alliance with Army, UConn (who should drop back to FCS), UMass (ditto on dropping back down), Liberty and NMSU is worse than the future AAC matchups in FB.

It may behoove Temple to push for football-only membership in the AAC along with Connecticut and Massachusetts.

Hypothetically, the rumor is Memphis may be joined by Boise St (not my rumor nor my preference) in the XII. Let's say Memphis leaves the AAC and the MWC picks up UTEP. Temple transitions to football-only, AAC adds (as football-only) Connecticut and Massachusetts, and the AAC adds Marshall, Southern Miss, and UAB as full members.

East: Connecticut*/BIG EAST, East Carolina, Marshall, Massachusetts*/A10, South Florida, Temple*/A10
West: Navy*/PATRIOT, SMU, Southern Miss, Tulane, Tulsa, UAB
* Football-only
^ Non-football: Wichita St

My take is the AAC would not be interested in having a full-time member leave for all sports but football. UConn was not welcomed for that arrangement and I seriously doubt Temple (or any other AAC member for that matter) would be allowed to do so.

Army is different. It would be welcomed as a football-only AAC member.

Colorado State isn't moving. I don't know about Air Force but in three years, the MWC is gonna double their payout and if Boise State is still in the MWC, they have agreed to make the payout per team more germaine.
Right now the MWC teams (Not Boise) is making between $4.1 and $4.3 million a year from FOX, CBS, and third tier games. Boise state gets an extra $1.8 after the $4 million and have no third tier rights to sale in football.
The MWC is looking at anywhere between $7 to $9 million for the next contract. FOX has been really happy with the MWC so far so the MWC thinks they can improve those numbers.
There is no reason for CSU to leave. Air Force and Hawaii are different though. I can see Air Force leave but I don't know if they will. Hawaii should honestly be independent but I am glad they are in the conference.

(09-21-2021 09:06 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  Air Force by virtue of its academic mission is a national brand.

Colorado State is the strongest of the remaining front range schools.

They give some but not Pacific time flexibility in broadcast windows and maximum potential viewers in the furthest west feasible area for AAC.

AFA threatened independence in 2011 with Utah and BYU departure but couldn’t find an Olympic sports home they considered acceptable and we know they contacted the Valley.

They’ve expressed displeasure over MWC tv revenue sharing being eat what you kill rather than an equity partnership.

Air Force has been seeking an acceptable alternative to MWC for just over a decade. Things finally lined up for them.

The AFA/CSU move is not a slam-dunk, but I think it’s more than 50/50 chance it will happen, and mostly for these reasons.

(09-21-2021 05:13 PM)JSchmack Wrote:  Temple's future in the AAC would be totally dependent on the money.

Temple's not going back to the A-10 if it leaves media revenue on the table. As it stands, the AAC has a $7.5 million TV deal. In the A-10, they're losing media revenue compared to that. If they got the "Navy Share" of AAC revenue, and the A-10 slice, they can only make more revenue if they're reeling off 2 NCAA appearances or wins every six seasons.

Think XII for Temple.

Memphis is a slam dunk for XII membership but what if the XII loses some more schools? I would think as it stands right now Temple could have a shot after the other candidates (SMU, USF, Boise) particularly if they could get themselves back into the Top 25.

I would stay in the AAC, continue to develop and hold out for the XII/ACC.

(09-22-2021 08:10 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 05:13 PM)JSchmack Wrote:  Temple's future in the AAC would be totally dependent on the money.

Temple's not going back to the A-10 if it leaves media revenue on the table. As it stands, the AAC has a $7.5 million TV deal. In the A-10, they're losing media revenue compared to that. If they got the "Navy Share" of AAC revenue, and the A-10 slice, they can only make more revenue if they're reeling off 2 NCAA appearances or wins every six seasons.

Think XII for Temple.

Memphis is a slam dunk for XII membership but what if the XII loses some more schools? I would think as it stands right now Temple could have a shot after the other candidates (SMU, USF, Boise) particularly if they could get themselves back into the Top 25.

I would stay in the AAC, continue to develop and hold out for the XII/ACC.

Temple may have a shot, but they could also be passed up for other schools at that point too.

And they would be at least 5th in the pecking order, 3rd if the Big 12 goes to 14 with Memphis/Boise, and assuming that if they lost teams they would backfill instead of being okay with 12.

The ship of Theseus applies. They could get a call up, but is what they get called up to still the Big 12 in anything but name.

(09-21-2021 05:37 PM)Reverend Wrote:  Colorado State isn't moving. I don't know about Air Force but in three years, the MWC is gonna double their payout and if Boise State is still in the MWC, they have agreed to make the payout per team more germaine.
Right now the MWC teams (Not Boise) is making between $4.1 and $4.3 million a year from FOX, CBS, and third tier games. Boise state gets an extra $1.8 after the $4 million and have no third tier rights to sale in football.
The MWC is looking at anywhere between $7 to $9 million for the next contract. FOX has been really happy with the MWC so far so the MWC thinks they can improve those numbers.
There is no reason for CSU to leave. Air Force and Hawaii are different though. I can see Air Force leave but I don't know if they will. Hawaii should honestly be independent but I am glad they are in the conference.

I really enjoy confidently saying with absolutely zero sources named that the MWC is for certain going to double their TV revenue on their next deal with no membership changes, a deal which is only 1 year old and doesn't expire till 2026. I'll go ahead and confidently say something, not a damn person at Fox or CBS has ever said that to anyone in the MWC. Source, just trust me on that.

(09-21-2021 11:48 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:33 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:46 AM)solohawks Wrote:  Would Temple be content with the UMass model?
They don't fit in with the AAC but there isn't a better football conference for them

I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

Agreed. A10 needs to shed its anchors. Unfortunately, especially after the Temple/Big East divorce, I think it is very unlikely a conference ever expels one of its members unless it is really bad.

As long as Villanova remains in the Big East, I don't see how Temple ever gets an invitation. Football aside, Temple would be a terrific addition to help balance UConn in the Big East. They are easily a top-30 basketball program, historically, have a modern, new(er) arena that seats over 10k, are located in a big east coast metropolitan city (Philadelphia) and (arguably) remain a basketball-first athletic department.

Philadelphia is more than big enough, market-wise, to support a second top-basketball program in the city. Unfortunately, again, I just don't see Villanova ever agreeing to that (rightfully so).

I do agree with Frank - if/when Memphis departs the AAC, I don't see anything keeping Temple on-board. The top basketball programs would have all departed (UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis), and there would be zero geographic ties to anyone in the league (ECU is neither a historical or geographic rival).

I do, a 10 million dollar exit fee and looking north at UMASS to see what independence and the A-10 looks like. Go ahead and ask UMASS if they'd join the AAC still if Memphis left.

On that point, I agree - if the $10 million exit fee continues to apply, then Temple wouldn't be going anywhere unless it's the Big East or a P5 league. I think it's more of a matter if the AAC loses more members and the TV value goes downward whether that exit fee amount eventually gets adjusted by the member schools accordingly.

(09-22-2021 09:03 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:48 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:33 AM)GoldenWarrior11 Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 11:24 AM)Wedge Wrote:  

(09-21-2021 10:49 AM)mvcfan76 Wrote:  I truly believe if the AAC would allow it, it would be best for temple to return to th A10 and be a fb only in the aac it would benefit all involved. Idk how either party feels about this though

Why would the A-10 want that? They already have 14 members. College conferences are not like the Big Bang theory of the universe, where galaxies just keep expanding and getting larger forever and ever.

Agreed. A10 needs to shed its anchors. Unfortunately, especially after the Temple/Big East divorce, I think it is very unlikely a conference ever expels one of its members unless it is really bad.

As long as Villanova remains in the Big East, I don't see how Temple ever gets an invitation. Football aside, Temple would be a terrific addition to help balance UConn in the Big East. They are easily a top-30 basketball program, historically, have a modern, new(er) arena that seats over 10k, are located in a big east coast metropolitan city (Philadelphia) and (arguably) remain a basketball-first athletic department.

Philadelphia is more than big enough, market-wise, to support a second top-basketball program in the city. Unfortunately, again, I just don't see Villanova ever agreeing to that (rightfully so).

I do agree with Frank - if/when Memphis departs the AAC, I don't see anything keeping Temple on-board. The top basketball programs would have all departed (UConn, Cincinnati, Memphis), and there would be zero geographic ties to anyone in the league (ECU is neither a historical or geographic rival).

I do, a 10 million dollar exit fee and looking north at UMASS to see what independence and the A-10 looks like. Go ahead and ask UMASS if they'd join the AAC still if Memphis left.

On that point, I agree - if the $10 million exit fee continues to apply, then Temple wouldn't be going anywhere unless it's the Big East or a P5 league. I think it's more of a matter if the AAC loses more members and the TV value goes downward whether that exit fee amount eventually gets adjusted by the member schools accordingly.

I doubt it gets adjusted. It was that amount when the TV value was 2 million per school, and there's always going to be enough schools who know they don't have a viable home (looking in the mirror at ECU) to go to that are going to vote no to adjusting it. Same as the idea of a GOR was DOA because there's always going to be a few schools who know or believe they have a future out to a better situation.