Would look to add schools, FBS or FCS, who have real people in seats. Most of the one available would be currently FCS but the end product would be an attractive offer. Very few are watching this level of football for the quality its for betting and entertainment. Crowds create atmosphere and excitement.

From FCS the potential ones are (10,000 or more attendance):
1. Jackson St.
2. Montana
3. James Madison
4. Alabama St.
5. North Dakota St.
6. Montana St.
7. Southern U.
8. N.C. A&T
9. Jacksonville St.
10. Florida A&M
11. Delaware
12. Alcorn
13. Yale
14. Youngstown St.
15. Norfolk St.
16. South Dakota St.
17. Sacramento St.
18. McNeese
19. Harvard
20. Grambling
21. South Carolina St.
22. New Hampshire

I would have 4 pods to try to limit travel to a degree. Let the winners of each pod play another pod winner in the last game of regular season (or now semi finals) winners move to Championship game.

Not knowing who will be left or picked up from FBS, hard to say which ones I would invite. The goal would be 6 teams in each pod. 5 pod games 3 crossovers and 3 OOC. This way the conference could attract Montana, Montana State, NDSU and SDSU. The eastern side has several options to balance pods.

Listed Ivies but do not see nor would I understand any leaving the Ivy League for any other league, SEC included. If all eight would come I would change to 8 team PODs. Would out SEC the SEC.

Left out a few crowd favorites but their attendance is lacking to create an atmosphere (ie Missouri State, EKU) thou you could include plus UC Davis if teams are needed.

Encourage members to reduce the stadium sizes to one which can be filled or at least not look empty. Camera angles only on the field mean no one is there at the games.

Charge 3-4 million entry fees which would give the capital needed to market the league.

Turn it into an association more than conference and take advantage and cash in on all the teams wanting to move up.

Invite the HBCU’s that want to become FBS and become the first HBCU FBS conference.

My plan could have an Ivy Pod and a HBCU pod. Hell, Im inviting everyone with cash.

(10-15-2021 11:29 PM)Soobahk40050 Wrote:  I'll take it more seriously. I've learned lessons from previous mistakes in the CUSA. I'm not going to overexpand again. I'm talking to Liberty, JMU, Delaware, Missouri State, and all the top FCS schools. I'm looking for schools with a reasonable chance to actually invest in their products - so no to schools like NMSU, etc.

Teams picked with partly depend on teams leaving and what geography remains, but also, what "niche" can be formed beyond "the new FCS call up league"

Somewhere in my brain there is a duo pairings concept floating around - to me if CUSA keeps UTEP, then NMSU makes a hell of a lot of sense for them - good hoops too.

If CUSA is left with FIU, FAU, ODU, Western, Middle, Tech, UTEP, and UNT then that leaves an 8 team conference. And it ‘s screwy geographically speaking. I think you add JMU and Liberty and go north/south:

ODU
Liberty
JMU
WKU
MTSU

FAU
FIU
TECH
UTEP
UNT

But I don’t think CUSA will lose that many teams.

(10-16-2021 10:43 AM)Saint3333 Wrote:  Going to 14 was a shot at the SBC in an attempt to weaken them greatly. There was no need to expand to 14.

Leaving WKU and one other would have left the SBC with a solid core. When you attempt to scorch the earth next time spread salt in the field, bet they’re surprised what rose from those ashes.

Insert gif of that girl watching the building burn here.

More likely scared to death that the AAC would keep coming back to them. After ECU was taken in 2013 there was still a chance of one or two more schools being taken from CUSA.

Which they could have done IF that happened.

1.) Programs I am fairly certain will be left in C-USA:

WKU, MTSU, ODU, FIU, UTEP, LaTech.

2.) Programs that might be left in C-USA based off rumors:

UNT, FAU, Marshall.

3.) Programs that are most likely gone to the AAC or MWC:

UTSA, Rice, UAB, Charlotte.

If we are left with teams from scenarios 1. and 2. then just add JMU and call it a day.

If we are only left with teams from scenario 1. then add JMU, NMST, Liberty, and UMass.

It is actually a really solid basketball conference at that point.

Limit FCS call ups as much as possible. Make sure UMass and NMST know its a 6 year offer and will be evaluated again at that time.

CUSA Rework after realignment:

West

Eastern Washington
Montana
N. Dakota State
S. Dakota St.
Sam Houston
UTEP
UNT

East

Liberty
ODU
JMU
WKU
MTSU
FIU
La Tech

Saw it on Judy’s Pinterest page

(10-16-2021 12:50 PM)IslandHerd1 Wrote:  CUSA Rework after realignment:

West

Eastern Washington
Montana
N. Dakota State
S. Dakota St.
Sam Houston
UTEP
UNT

East

Liberty
ODU
JMU
WKU
MTSU
FIU
La Tech

Saw it on Judy’s Pinterest page

Assuming FAU lands in the Sun Belt. That's Marshall USM FAU and who else?

(10-16-2021 12:33 PM)freshtop Wrote:  1.) Programs I am fairly certain will be left in C-USA:

WKU, MTSU, ODU, FIU, UTEP, LaTech.

2.) Programs that might be left in C-USA based off rumors:

UNT, FAU, Marshall.

3.) Programs that are most likely gone to the AAC or MWC:

UTSA, Rice, UAB, Charlotte.

If we are left with teams from scenarios 1. and 2. then just add JMU and call it a day.

If we are only left with teams from scenario 1. then add JMU, NMST, Liberty, and UMass.

It is actually a really solid basketball conference at that point.

Limit FCS call ups as much as possible. Make sure UMass and NMST know its a 6 year offer and will be evaluated again at that time.

If those are the 9 left that illustrates the problem they have.

(10-16-2021 01:41 PM)Oldyeller Wrote:  

(10-16-2021 12:50 PM)IslandHerd1 Wrote:  CUSA Rework after realignment:

West

Eastern Washington
Montana
N. Dakota State
S. Dakota St.
Sam Houston
UTEP
UNT

East

Liberty
ODU
JMU
WKU
MTSU
FIU
La Tech

Saw it on Judy’s Pinterest page

Assuming FAU lands in the Sun Belt. That's Marshall USM FAU and who else?

UTSA

If I were the Belt I’d take Marshall, So Miss and wait to grab USF and ECU

(10-16-2021 08:30 AM)panama Wrote:  

(10-16-2021 12:01 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  I guess I’d wait and see who I had left. I’d try to get a small deal with ESPN and call up whatever FCS schools are willing and have FBS level resources and start trying to grow. I basically would do what Karl Benson had to do.

This.

Their major mistake in 2012-14 was going to 14 instead of 12 and spreading out too far. Charlotte to Atlanta to Dallas isn't the same as WV to Miami to El Paso. I know they get hammered for MARKETZ but in my opinion that was their biggest mistake.

The problem I see is that if they get poached 1) it's not like half the conference will be poached. That's message forum ridiculousness. 2) the outlier schools are actually the least likely to be poached. So what happens if you're down to say 10 and still have UTEP, Marshall and FIU?

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It's not that ridiculous.

It isn't that hard to imagine the MW taking UNT and UTSA, the AAC taking Rice and UAB, and the SB taking USM and Marshall. That's 6/14, just shy of half.

If the AAC goes to 12 instead of 10, and takes just one more C-USA team, that's 7 taken from C-USA. If it takes two more, say, FAU and Charlotte, that's more than half the league gone. And, most radical of all, if the SB decides to go to 14 with WKU and JMU, C-USA is down nine schools.

But losing six isn't a ridiculous idea. It's almost conservative.

(10-16-2021 06:58 PM)Michael in Raleigh Wrote:  

(10-16-2021 08:30 AM)panama Wrote:  

(10-16-2021 12:01 AM)Troy_Fan_15 Wrote:  I guess I’d wait and see who I had left. I’d try to get a small deal with ESPN and call up whatever FCS schools are willing and have FBS level resources and start trying to grow. I basically would do what Karl Benson had to do.

This.

Their major mistake in 2012-14 was going to 14 instead of 12 and spreading out too far. Charlotte to Atlanta to Dallas isn't the same as WV to Miami to El Paso. I know they get hammered for MARKETZ but in my opinion that was their biggest mistake.

The problem I see is that if they get poached 1) it's not like half the conference will be poached. That's message forum ridiculousness[/b]. 2) the outlier schools are actually the least likely to be poached. So what happens if you're down to say 10 and still have UTEP, Marshall and FIU?

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It's not that ridiculous.

It isn't that hard to imagine the MW taking UNT and UTSA, the AAC taking Rice and UAB, and the SB taking USM and Marshall. That's 6/14, just shy of half.

If the AAC goes to 12 instead of 10, and takes just one more C-USA team, that's 7 taken from C-USA. If it takes two more, say, FAU and Charlotte, that's more than half the league gone. And, most radical of all, if the SB decides to go to 14 with WKU and JMU, C-USA is down nine schools.

But losing six isn't a ridiculous idea. It's almost conservative.

Presidents don't think like business tycoons. They are far more Pragmatic.

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Fleece the coffers for as much as I can before riding off into the sunset on my toy car.

(10-16-2021 10:25 PM)APPdiesel Wrote:  Fleece the coffers for as much as I can before riding off into the sunset on my toy car.

El oh el

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Lots of good ideas in this thread. I would like to play along as well with the following suggestions:

1. Realize that the conference is about to lose a minimum of 4 teams to the AAC and SBC. I would already be trying to secure commitments from JMU, Delaware, UMass, and Missouri State. Try to have them ready and waiting so an announcement comes soon after the other schools publicly announce they are leaving CUSA. Maybe UConn could join as a football only member as well.

2. Call ESPN and tell them they can pretty much have the content for free. Maybe just enough money to help with production cost and help schools put out quality ESPN+ content, and guarantee the CCG is put on ESPN.

3. Collect every dime of exit/entrance fees that I could, and then rebrand after making the new additions.

If I was CUSA I'd call NMSU and JMU right now. I would also call Liberty and Missouri St. Those are my 4 main targets. Basketball will be good and you also add two good football teams. I'd call up UCONN and UMASS to see their interest. If interested tell them if a spot comes open they are in. Now get on the phone with ESPN and take whatever deal they give you. Ditch Facebook and stadium immediately. Rebrand starting with a name change and fire Judy. Good basketball right out the gate and good football in about 4 years.

Also want to say this new conference keeps its mouth shut and stop pretending to be something it's not. Just play ball and let the talking take place on the field or court. The Belt kept its mouth shut and silently snuck up everybody. We did it the right way and it's paying off.

1. Tell ESPN you will take Tuesday and Wed tv slots for bulk of season but they need Sun Belt money for doing so.After 5 years, the conference then splits between Sat and weekday games. Insist ESPN promote CUSa as the midweek alternative to boring TV etc etc.
2.Hire a new Commissioner who understands TV markets and sports.
3. Whoever is left after the purge Co f USA commits to creating best fan experience possible . One idea for example is to take the past 3 years average attendance and make that the capacity crowd for games. For example if school is averaging 15000 fans, close off rest of stadium with well designed covers and bring those 15000 fans as close to each as possible to create the perception of strong fan support

4. Commit to having the best basketball league possible. Declare open season on foreign amateur players, league becomes actively involved in finding Head basketball coach and helps supplement pay if school cannot afford best coach available.
5 . What is clear is that CuSA cannot operate as independent agents anymore. They will need to move lockstep together and commit for next 10 decade to work together for the survival of Conf USa.