Here's the play: Keith are you listening?

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

(10-14-2021 12:16 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 12:02 PM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:42 AM)statefanatic Wrote:  Not gonna happen but I've been told the AAC has had talks with stAte. I know if we knew for a fact that Memphis was gonna stay that stAte would do everything in its power to find the money for exit and entry fees. We would also find a way to raise our budget. I figure stAte will be in the Belt for the long term. We aren't going anywhere.

It's pretty obvious Memphis is as good as gone (and I can't help but think they'd do anything to block Astate from hopping on board) but regardless, Astate is not an American team. They belong exactly where they're at now (Funbelt).

I completely agree with you. I also know our administration and donors would throw money all over the place to be in the same conference as Memphis. Everyone knows Memphis is gone as soon as they get an invite. I also believe we are where we should be. Just wish we would add USM. Our fans would show up to watch USM. As it stand we don't really have a rival that interests our fans other than UL. The biggest problem is the western side of the conference sucks.

Every school is as good as gone the second they get an invite. Memphis ain't guaranteed any invite to anything. B12 has to decide they want to give one, and the hints around that recently have been a lot more like "ehhh 14 might not actually be worth it".

(10-14-2021 02:52 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Here's the play: Keith are you listening?

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

Cute idea, you guys gonna pony up 10 million for ECU to leave the AAC? I'll go ahead and promise ECU ain't no matter what the AAC ends up looking like. If you want ECU in the Sun-Belt you are gonna need to dream up some good AAC dissolving scenarios, because there's no scenario that the Sun-Belt would get a strong enough TV deal to make it actually financially viable to pay that exit fee.

I know we would sell more tickets playing AAC teams than we do Belt teams. If stAte gets the invite we are gone. Our fans and donors would rather see teams like SMU, Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane and ECU than any Belt team. I believe our new AD is fighting for us to get an AAC invite. He was the AD at Memphis when they went to the AAC. He knows all the AD's at the other schools.

(10-14-2021 01:25 PM)slycat Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 12:30 PM)Bobcat87 Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:25 AM)slycat Wrote:  What a quote. Basically saying "Hey there you nobody, come join the great and mighty AAC and we will raise you up. All the schools we wanted turned us down so now we are down to you losers"

. . . so, you sayin’ we got a shot . . .

Honestly, yeah. It probably why our name got tossed around in that one article. We are full of potential, have a ton of students (and their fees), and might be super excited to be asked to dance. Like others said, I bet they vet all G5 schools to some degree. And I could see our new AD getting pumped about a move to hang his hat on.

It won't happen, I don't want it to happen, but it could happen.

Football perspective only-

. . . we lost in the Southland. . . . we lost in the WAC . . . we’ve been consistent losers in the Belt. . . . and Now the Opportunity to lose in the AAC.

We Big Time Baby!

I get the new AD lookin’ for something to hang his hat on, and I get that ultimately it’s a prestige thing. But honestly (like you), I like where we are, hope we stay, and really hope we figure out a way to be more competitive where we are before we make another move . . .

(10-14-2021 03:46 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  I know we would sell more tickets playing AAC teams than we do Belt teams. If stAte gets the invite we are gone. Our fans and donors would rather see teams like SMU, Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane and ECU than any Belt team. I believe our new AD is fighting for us to get an AAC invite. He was the AD at Memphis when they went to the AAC. He knows all the AD's at the other schools.

Of course they would, they are bigger brands then most in the SBC. And if UAb joins, its another game only 4 hours away. It really is an individual school preference. Some it makes more sense for then others. It really depends on who ultimately goes, who doesn’t and who’s stays in the AAC past the next 3 years.

(10-14-2021 11:46 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:17 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:00 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  Overall nothing new in the article but I thought the quote alone was worth the thread

https://www.smudailycampus.com/sports/aa...conference

"Aresco instead pointed to a new model. Instead of bringing in established schools, he believes the conference can survive by bringing in lesser schools and raising their profile once they are in the conference.

“I think what is sometimes overlooked is what the American Athletic Conference has done in elevating programs that may not have been at the level they’re at now,” Aresco said. “In terms of the conference, our goals and vision have not changed. I think once we reconstitute we’re going to continue our approach. As in trying to become an autonomous six conference.”

Link didn't work for me, but what I take from that quote is the AAC is going to end up taking schools that probably have accomplished almost nothing but have the desire and ability to spend at the AAC level. The AAC has to add teams that have the ability to run 50+ million dollar budgets, and honestly that's a pretty small list of schools not in the AAC/MWC.

Sounds like UNCC and GaSt will be getting a nice hard look.

Or maybe South Alabama will...

(10-14-2021 03:21 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 02:52 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Here's the play: Keith are you listening?

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

Cute idea, you guys gonna pony up 10 million for ECU to leave the AAC? I'll go ahead and promise ECU ain't no matter what the AAC ends up looking like. If you want ECU in the Sun-Belt you are gonna need to dream up some good AAC dissolving scenarios, because there's no scenario that the Sun-Belt would get a strong enough TV deal to make it actually financially viable to pay that exit fee.

Fine. Enjoy being stuck on your island with the rum running out.

(10-14-2021 04:12 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 03:21 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 02:52 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Here's the play: Keith are you listening?

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

Cute idea, you guys gonna pony up 10 million for ECU to leave the AAC? I'll go ahead and promise ECU ain't no matter what the AAC ends up looking like. If you want ECU in the Sun-Belt you are gonna need to dream up some good AAC dissolving scenarios, because there's no scenario that the Sun-Belt would get a strong enough TV deal to make it actually financially viable to pay that exit fee.

Fine. Enjoy being stuck on your island with the rum running out.

"Hey , you wanna come to my party?"

"I dont think so. Dont think I'll be able to make it"

"Well #$%^ you you $%^hole!"

(10-14-2021 04:10 PM)panama Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:46 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:17 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:00 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  Overall nothing new in the article but I thought the quote alone was worth the thread

https://www.smudailycampus.com/sports/aa...conference

"Aresco instead pointed to a new model. Instead of bringing in established schools, he believes the conference can survive by bringing in lesser schools and raising their profile once they are in the conference.

“I think what is sometimes overlooked is what the American Athletic Conference has done in elevating programs that may not have been at the level they’re at now,” Aresco said. “In terms of the conference, our goals and vision have not changed. I think once we reconstitute we’re going to continue our approach. As in trying to become an autonomous six conference.”

Link didn't work for me, but what I take from that quote is the AAC is going to end up taking schools that probably have accomplished almost nothing but have the desire and ability to spend at the AAC level. The AAC has to add teams that have the ability to run 50+ million dollar budgets, and honestly that's a pretty small list of schools not in the AAC/MWC.

Sounds like UNCC and GaSt will be getting a nice hard look.

Or maybe South Alabama will...

We don’t have the student numbers for it, but thanks for thinking of us.

(10-14-2021 04:17 PM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 04:10 PM)panama Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:46 AM)Usajags Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:17 AM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 11:00 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  Overall nothing new in the article but I thought the quote alone was worth the thread

https://www.smudailycampus.com/sports/aa...conference

"Aresco instead pointed to a new model. Instead of bringing in established schools, he believes the conference can survive by bringing in lesser schools and raising their profile once they are in the conference.

“I think what is sometimes overlooked is what the American Athletic Conference has done in elevating programs that may not have been at the level they’re at now,” Aresco said. “In terms of the conference, our goals and vision have not changed. I think once we reconstitute we’re going to continue our approach. As in trying to become an autonomous six conference.”

Link didn't work for me, but what I take from that quote is the AAC is going to end up taking schools that probably have accomplished almost nothing but have the desire and ability to spend at the AAC level. The AAC has to add teams that have the ability to run 50+ million dollar budgets, and honestly that's a pretty small list of schools not in the AAC/MWC.

Sounds like UNCC and GaSt will be getting a nice hard look.

Or maybe South Alabama will...

We don’t have the student numbers for it, but thanks for thinking of us.

Just looking out for you since you meet bonds' requirements

(10-14-2021 04:12 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 03:21 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 02:52 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Here's the play: Keith are you listening?

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

Cute idea, you guys gonna pony up 10 million for ECU to leave the AAC? I'll go ahead and promise ECU ain't no matter what the AAC ends up looking like. If you want ECU in the Sun-Belt you are gonna need to dream up some good AAC dissolving scenarios, because there's no scenario that the Sun-Belt would get a strong enough TV deal to make it actually financially viable to pay that exit fee.

Fine. Enjoy being stuck on your island with the rum running out.

I don't take that as a diss at the SBC. I think ECU is legit STUCK in the AAC. They couldn't feasibly leave if they wanted to. Reminds me of a musical artist stuck in a bad record contract, they know they shouldn't be in. Also, this should give similar minded institutions something to really weigh in on.

(10-14-2021 04:28 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 04:12 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 03:21 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 02:52 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Here's the play: Keith are you listening?

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

Cute idea, you guys gonna pony up 10 million for ECU to leave the AAC? I'll go ahead and promise ECU ain't no matter what the AAC ends up looking like. If you want ECU in the Sun-Belt you are gonna need to dream up some good AAC dissolving scenarios, because there's no scenario that the Sun-Belt would get a strong enough TV deal to make it actually financially viable to pay that exit fee.

Fine. Enjoy being stuck on your island with the rum running out.

I don't take that as a diss at the SBC. I think ECU is legit STUCK in the AAC. They couldn't feasibly leave if they wanted to. Reminds me of a musical artist stuck in a bad record contract, they know they shouldn't be in. Also, this should give similar minded institutions something to really weigh in on.

I dont think their leadership wants to leave.

I think that quote makes it official that EVERYONE is a candidate at this point.

Going to be really interesting to see what the result of all of this is. I still find it hard to believe that any school in the Belt would turn down an AAC offer (despite what our athletic department may have tried to float out there), although the level of uncertainty as to whether the American is actually a better home than the Sun Belt is pretty remarkable to see considering how the two conferences were viewed just a few years ago.

As I've mentioned, best thing about an AAC move for us would be getting to see GSU play regularly in Philly. Maybe the Belt can just add Temple and make everything easy for me.

(10-14-2021 03:46 PM)statefanatic Wrote:  I know we would sell more tickets playing AAC teams than we do Belt teams. If stAte gets the invite we are gone. Our fans and donors would rather see teams like SMU, Memphis, Tulsa, Tulane and ECU than any Belt team. I believe our new AD is fighting for us to get an AAC invite. He was the AD at Memphis when they went to the AAC. He knows all the AD's at the other schools.

It’s sort of that fighting just hard enough so donors think you’re trying thing. We know we have zero chance but we’ll show interest thing

Admin is fully committed to the SBC

If Aresco truly believes what he's saying and joining the AAC is like winning the lottery nothing matters more than marketz. We'll find out soon enough if the Sun Belt experiment of traditional football focused small town universities will ultimately succeed or the marketz experiment has any merit. Aresco will be forcing the idea front and center. Who he'll be after is pretty obvious. Welcome USM and Marshall. We have a significant opportunity to prove him wrong.

(10-14-2021 06:13 PM)Oldyeller Wrote:  If Aresco truly believes what he's saying and joining the AAC is like winning the lottery nothing matters more than marketz. We'll find out soon enough if the Sun Belt experiment of traditional football focused small town universities will ultimately succeed or the marketz experiment has any merit. Aresco will be forcing the idea front and center. Who he'll be after is pretty obvious. Welcome USM and Marshall. We have a significant opportunity to prove him wrong.

There's just such a huge difference between schools in large urban centers who have lots of support (San Diego State, Memphis, Cincinnati, Houston, UCF) and those who are just in large urban areas without the support (Charlotte, UTSA, FIU, [Redacted]). Markets without the merit mean nothing.

(10-14-2021 01:59 PM)Bigtom12 Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 01:50 PM)Goronic Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 12:56 PM)forphase1 Wrote:  Interesting quote. I take that partly that schools like Marshall and App State aren't in consideration, as we are more 'established' and are solid products. Sounds like they are chasing markets and 'potential', like CUSA did last time around. Didn't work out very good for us then, and I doubt it works out well for the AAC this time. If true, then I expect Marshall to join the Sun Belt. Last I heard if the AAC doesn't invite us, we are Sun Belt bound. So we will see what happens. Going to be an interesting few weeks if nothing else.

I don't know...to the AAC perhaps App State and Marshall are 'lessor' schools that can rise up.

However, I think they stick to the metro model and get UAB, Buffalo, Rice, etc.

I also don't think they pull JMU straight from FCS to FBS, BUT I think after the dust settles JMU will be in the FBS, just not in the AAC, probably in CUSA.

It all depends on what are lesser schools to Aresco. I would like to think not as established in sports, or the public rural institution if it’s the second one then he thinks schools like Tulane, and Temple, or better than Louisiana, and App State.

I think he have to be talking about atheletics as a whole or ones without a conference that have big budgets like Liberty, JMU, and Rice

First off---thats not a quote. That "lesser school" stuff is the writers take on Aresco's strategy. What Aresco actually is quoted as saying is the conference has been very effective at elevating schools to a higher level (primarily through the upgraded exposure provided by the ESPN TV deal). Most of those CUSA schools had spent about a decade on CBS-Sports Network (that had maybe 35 million subscribers a the time) and Fox-RSN's with virtually no nationwide ABC/ESPN/FOX-OTA coverage. The last round the AAC/Big East did in fact take "lesser schools" (the Big East was a AQ conference at the time) and moved them to the Big East/AAC where they were elevated--largely due to the power of solid national TV exposure where nearly every game was on a national network (ESPN/ABC/CBS-Sports Network). There is no doubt that UCF and Memphis are MUCH bigger football brands now than they were in 2011 when they were invited.

What is being missed is virtually every team invited was performing at high level in football at the time the invitation was extended. Just fewer people were paying attention to it. The two exceptions to high football performance were Tulane (which was clearly invited for its AAU level academics and market) and Memphis (which offered an elite level basketball program that appealed to C7 who were still part of the Big East/AAC at the time of the invite). So---with few exceptions, the Big East/AAC basically they took the football top off the conferences they could poach from and "elevated their brands" over the the 8 years they were in the conference. I would be shocked if more than 1 out of the 4 selections by the AAC are poor performing football programs. I could see one school being a market/academics play---but I wont be surprised if all 4 are high performing football programs (as that was the formula last time).

(10-14-2021 04:38 PM)panama Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 04:28 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 04:12 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 03:21 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 02:52 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Here's the play: Keith are you listening?

Wait for the AAC to take the weakest teams in our conference because they're stupid and attracted to big markets. Replace them with brand power, on-field quality, and regional fan interest (ie Marshall and USM). Then wait for the Big12 to gut the AAC further, devaluing the AAC's media deal even more. Continue growing the Sun Belt's brand and stature then invite ECU. Bob's your uncle, the SBC is the G5's SEC.

Cute idea, you guys gonna pony up 10 million for ECU to leave the AAC? I'll go ahead and promise ECU ain't no matter what the AAC ends up looking like. If you want ECU in the Sun-Belt you are gonna need to dream up some good AAC dissolving scenarios, because there's no scenario that the Sun-Belt would get a strong enough TV deal to make it actually financially viable to pay that exit fee.

Fine. Enjoy being stuck on your island with the rum running out.

I don't take that as a diss at the SBC. I think ECU is legit STUCK in the AAC. They couldn't feasibly leave if they wanted to. Reminds me of a musical artist stuck in a bad record contract, they know they shouldn't be in. Also, this should give similar minded institutions something to really weigh in on.

I dont think their leadership wants to leave.

No, I would assume ECU leadership wants to leave the AAC same as every member of the league, for a P5 league. ECU will leave in a heartbeat for a better situation, but better isn’t just more regional. ECU supports adding more regional members to help out with travel, but ECU doesn’t desire to be in a purely regional league.

(10-14-2021 07:29 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 04:38 PM)panama Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 04:28 PM)TealNation Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 04:12 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  

(10-14-2021 03:21 PM)b0ndsj0ns Wrote:  Cute idea, you guys gonna pony up 10 million for ECU to leave the AAC? I'll go ahead and promise ECU ain't no matter what the AAC ends up looking like. If you want ECU in the Sun-Belt you are gonna need to dream up some good AAC dissolving scenarios, because there's no scenario that the Sun-Belt would get a strong enough TV deal to make it actually financially viable to pay that exit fee.

Fine. Enjoy being stuck on your island with the rum running out.

I don't take that as a diss at the SBC. I think ECU is legit STUCK in the AAC. They couldn't feasibly leave if they wanted to. Reminds me of a musical artist stuck in a bad record contract, they know they shouldn't be in. Also, this should give similar minded institutions something to really weigh in on.

I dont think their leadership wants to leave.

No, I would assume ECU leadership wants to leave the AAC same as every member of the league, for a P5 league. ECU will leave in a heartbeat for a better situation, but better isn’t just more regional. ECU supports adding more regional members to help out with travel, but ECU doesn’t desire to be in a purely regional league.

Judging by ECU's non conference schedules over the years, it very much wants a regional alliance. Lots of appearances by NCSU, UNC, SC, VT, WV, Marshall, and App

And to be fair, App schedules the same way. Most of the non con is schools from NC, bordering states, or at least a close drive (i.e. Marshall).