(04-29-2022 02:04 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: (04-29-2022 08:53 AM)Frank the Tank Wrote: (04-28-2022 05:18 PM)Fighting Muskie Wrote: It’s ironic that Miami was one of the biggest movers and shakers involved in the NCHC but it hasn’t been a good experience for them.
I think Ariz St and Minn St Mankato would be great adds.
This seems to be a completely emotional fan-based on-the-ice observation as opposed to an objective business-oriented conference realignment observation, though.
It's sort of lower rent version of that thread suggesting that Missouri should leave the SEC and go back to the Big 12. Sure, Mizzou would probably be more competitive in the Big 12 compared to the SEC, but that's not what drives realignment decisions. In this environment where being in the best conference possibly means more than ever, absolutely no one is downgrading (and that includes even sport-specific leagues). Everyone knows that they're better off long-term sacrificing wins if they're in the best conference possible.
I guess you have to weigh the cost of being a cellar dweller in a good league vs being a top 25% team in an ok league.
In my opinion, I think the NCHC was a bit too selective when they went with 8 teams. Sure they are strong programs, but 10 would help to more evenly distribute some of the losses.
I don't see how there is an issue that needs to be fixed here. Pretty sure the NCHC has annually had the most at large bids since the formation of the conference, and this year they finished the season with 5 teams ranked in the top 10 of the country. The conference schedule is difficult, but the non-conference winning percentage, usually at or better than 60%, has more than made up for this. The NCHC has consistently shown that it has been the best conference in the country, so why change a formula that has been working?
If Miami decides they want to pay the 1.5 million exit fee because they are sick of losing, so be it, and I guess ASU would be a good replacement, but that is the only situation where I think adding ASU to the NCHC would be worth it. ASU has a lot of positives, but there are also a lot of issues. First of all, the NCHC was formed by like -minded institutions in regard to hockey, and the conf members have all shown a commitment to growing the conference together. This is the exact reason why Notre Dame isn't in the conference for example, as they wouldn't work with the NCHC in regard to their TV deal. When it comes to ASU, do they really care about the long term growth of the conference or would they look to bolt for a SW based conference as soon as possible? Would ASU fully participate and embrace the NCHC.TV streaming package? Would CBS Sports be allowed to air NCHC games played at ASU? How many issues will be caused by the PAC12 network, and probably ASU's allegiance to that network?
ASU would also contribute nothing towards the growth of the Frozen Faceoff, one of the last off campus conference tournaments, and a major source of revenue for the conference. How many ASU fans would we expect to pay for Forzen Faceoff tickets each year? Would ASU improve the viability of that event, or would there be attendance issues when they are participants? Would ASU push for the whole tournament to be held on campus? Would they push for a more centralized frozen four location or push for a location that rotates?
As a fan of North Dakota, it just seems to me that ASU joining the conference would introduce a lot of potential issues, and they could potentially cause instability within a smoothly operating conference, because I don't believe their goals and priorities aligned with the other NCHC schools. ASU = Notre Dame, imo. The conference already made this decision, essentially, and at a time when the outlook of the conference was much more precarious. In what ways would ASU actually improve the league or significantly increase revenue? From a North Dakota perspective, playing games annually in Arizona would probably help to water down demand for our destination games, as well.