From the realignment board.

(09-25-2026 11:09 AM)AztecEmpire Wrote:  Here is an interesting theory about why this news leaked, most likely from the AAC.

https://x.com/chaseakiddy/status/2103498501086716361

(09-25-2026 08:34 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 08:10 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Well clearly the MAC has a problem.

I don't think we should overreact to this. It's been known for some time that Miami has been interested in the American. But being interested and actually being a realistic candidate are two different things.

As far as I know this is the first real rumor of Miami to the AC. I know some Miami fans have wanted it the ACC but this is verified and documented.

The Miami play for the AC sounds a lot like what SMU tried with the ACC and was successful in doing. The NIL era opens up this opportunity for Miami in a way that it wouldn't have been possible before. Its taken a while for this opportunity to manifest because the effort is riding the coattails of the BB investment other things that have changed the game in the last few years for Miami. But it shows you where the departments mindset is now.

Some of the things going for the Miami bid:

1) Healthy enrollment & endowment. In an era where a lot mid majors are struggling this is not a problem at Miami. The only other 3 in the MAC which have both are Ohio, Buffalo & UMass. The Miami profile is a big edge.

2) Great recruiting area both Ohio & SW Ohio. The question is can they stand on their own two feet in another G6 conference and I would have to say yes to that, particularly with the NIL money.

3) Adds a large state to the AC TV deal. This is a pro for any of the Ohio schools of course.

My take on this if they can buy their way into the AC and out of the MAC why not? Maybe the time isn't this year but it sets the stage down the road for a move.

(09-25-2026 11:31 AM)Garden_KC Wrote:  As far as I know this is the first real rumor of Miami to the AC.

Earlier this year, the Blade quoted an anonymous MAC athletic director expressing the understanding that Miami was quite interested in the American. And, last spring, another report -- marveling at the amount of donations for athletics Miami was bringing in -- also noted that they hoped to be considered by the American. I think their athletic director may have straight up said that, but I'm going by memory on this.

(09-25-2026 10:59 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 08:10 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Well clearly the MAC has a problem. NIU left, Miami wants out. The question is how does Steinbrecher address this. Ii would reach out to Miami today and ask what theu want. I would also be seeking top fcs programs and other schools we discussed in the past, wku, South Dakota, Montanas to help strengthen the MAC and add stability

Offer Toledo, Miami, and Ohio more of the conference revenue than the rest of the MAC schools to keep them from leaving?

I don't feel that would make much sense at all. The MAC doesn't have a Boise St, Gonzaga, etc. program who is clearly on a different level from everyone else. Who is good often rotates and most people who tune in to watch MACtion are doing it because they want to watch football on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, not because Toledo, Miami, or WMU are playing.

The MAC is already a bottom 2 FBS conference. Even if it loses a school or two it doesn't dramatically change the conferences position. This wouldn't be a MWC situation where all the best teams fled so you're significantly weaker over night. The MAC is already near or at the bottom so there really isn't much room to fall.

(09-25-2026 08:10 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Well clearly the MAC has a problem. NIU left, Miami wants out. The question is how does Steinbrecher address this. Ii would reach out to Miami today and ask what theu want. I would also be seeking top fcs programs and other schools we discussed in the past, wku, South Dakota, Montanas to help strengthen the MAC and add stability

If Miami was willing to roll the dice and offer the AC 40 million to join I don't know what the MAC could say to them to keep them from leaving.

(09-25-2026 11:42 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 10:59 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 08:10 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Well clearly the MAC has a problem. NIU left, Miami wants out. The question is how does Steinbrecher address this. Ii would reach out to Miami today and ask what theu want. I would also be seeking top fcs programs and other schools we discussed in the past, wku, South Dakota, Montanas to help strengthen the MAC and add stability

Offer Toledo, Miami, and Ohio more of the conference revenue than the rest of the MAC schools to keep them from leaving?

I don't feel that would make much sense at all. The MAC doesn't have a Boise St, Gonzaga, etc. program who is clearly on a different level from everyone else. Who is good often rotates and most people who tune in to watch MACtion are doing it because they want to watch football on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, not because Toledo, Miami, or WMU are playing.

The MAC is already a bottom 2 FBS conference. Even if it loses a school or two it doesn't dramatically change the conferences position. This wouldn't be a MWC situation where all the best teams fled so you're significantly weaker over night. The MAC is already near or at the bottom so there really isn't much room to fall.

The travel advantages for being in the MAC if Miami is not in the conference changes for some of the schools.

The academics in the conference take a blow if Miami leaves.

The question is would it be still better than CUSA for Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo, UMass? I would tend to say yes. If Toledo was to leave too then its time for Ohio, Buffalo, Umass to consider a move to CUSA at that point.

With the PCSA capping realignment in the P4 I can see where the G6 leagues might want to be more ambitious with their expansion plans.

How it could all play out...

SEC-18 (Florida St, North Carolina)
ACC-16 (South Florida)
PAC-10 (Memphis, North Texas)
AC-14 (Miami, JMU, UConn-FB)
SBC-16 (Western Ky, Ohio, Toledo)
CUSA-12 (UMass, Buffalo)
MAC-8 (Youngstown St)

I could see where Memphis & North Texas move over to the PAC because it has better BB. Miami & JMU thinking AC for the academics. The SBC then has an opening and the bring back the 16 team plan with WKU, Ohio and Toledo.

MAC would have a difficult time finding anyone other than YSU wanting to join it which is a lot of the conference's problem.

(09-25-2026 11:50 AM)Garden_KC Wrote:  The question is would it be still better than CUSA for Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo, UMass? I would tend to say yes. If Toledo was to leave too then its time for Ohio, Buffalo, Umass to consider a move to CUSA at that point.

Yes, you stay in the MAC if your only option is to leave for CUSA. But I don't see anyone leaving the MAC for CUSA.

The best Miami, Toledo, and Ohio are going to get is SBC for all-sports and I'm not even sure the SBC wants to grow to 16-17 teams. The travel would suck for those MAC schools and you're just leaving a one-bid MAC for a one-bid SBC and same weeknight football games and poor media pay.

(09-25-2026 12:41 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 11:50 AM)Garden_KC Wrote:  The question is would it be still better than CUSA for Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo, UMass? I would tend to say yes. If Toledo was to leave too then its time for Ohio, Buffalo, Umass to consider a move to CUSA at that point.

Yes, you stay in the MAC if your only option is to leave for CUSA. But I don't see anyone leaving the MAC for CUSA.

The best Miami, Toledo, and Ohio are going to get is SBC for all-sports and I'm not even sure the SBC wants to grow to 16-17 teams. The travel would suck for those MAC schools and you're just leaving a one-bid MAC for a one-bid CUSA and same weeknight football games.

The way it worked last time the SBC expanded is because the opening was in the west they filled it with a western team. This time if its JMU leaving the SBC then the opening would be in the east so Ohio would slot in for that BUT they don't want to go to the SBC without another in-state school. There was a 16 team plan back then with WKU, Ohio & Toledo to the SBC but ultimately the SBC just allowed the west schools to have what they wanted.

Obviously Miami is connected to an AC rumor and was not part of the SBC rumor (or the PAC rumor) so I don't think they are interested in the SBC. If the AC takes a hit it sounds like Miami is close to the front of the line on that one so the opening for them could be there.

As far as how big these G6 conferences are going to be that is hard to say at this point. Unlike the P4 conferences they don't have a limit in size.

(09-25-2026 11:50 AM)Garden_KC Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 11:42 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 10:59 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 08:10 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Well clearly the MAC has a problem. NIU left, Miami wants out. The question is how does Steinbrecher address this. Ii would reach out to Miami today and ask what theu want. I would also be seeking top fcs programs and other schools we discussed in the past, wku, South Dakota, Montanas to help strengthen the MAC and add stability

Offer Toledo, Miami, and Ohio more of the conference revenue than the rest of the MAC schools to keep them from leaving?

I don't feel that would make much sense at all. The MAC doesn't have a Boise St, Gonzaga, etc. program who is clearly on a different level from everyone else. Who is good often rotates and most people who tune in to watch MACtion are doing it because they want to watch football on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, not because Toledo, Miami, or WMU are playing.

The MAC is already a bottom 2 FBS conference. Even if it loses a school or two it doesn't dramatically change the conferences position. This wouldn't be a MWC situation where all the best teams fled so you're significantly weaker over night. The MAC is already near or at the bottom so there really isn't much room to fall.

The travel advantages for being in the MAC if Miami is not in the conference changes for some of the schools.

The academics in the conference take a blow if Miami leaves.

The question is would it be still better than CUSA for Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo, UMass? I would tend to say yes. If Toledo was to leave too then its time for Ohio, Buffalo, Umass to consider a move to CUSA at that point.

I don't feel Miami leaving would change much for travel besides Ball State and maybe OU. The geographic middle of the conference is just slightly west of Cleveland. Miami is already out on the perimeter from that.

I know some here get carried away and are obsessed with expansion discussion, but I just don't see the value in C-USA or the SunBelt ballooning to 14+ member conferences. None of those MAC schools are a big enough brand to command a serious bump in TV money, especially as ESPN and other streaming services are looking to trim costs, so having the same sized pie but cutting it more ways just means every existing team in the conference walks away with less.

Now if Miami went to the AAC and said they would pay $20 million and forego all TV money for an extended period of time, let's say 10 years, (like Sac State did) that might make the math make sense, but Miami doesn't seem to be at that level of desperation to leave the MAC.

Miami, you're just being too darn cheap with your puny offer. Memphis previously tried to buy its way into the Big 12 with a massive $200M–$250M financial package, which was rebuffed. And you should be ashamed to make that low ball offer.

(09-25-2026 12:55 PM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 11:50 AM)Garden_KC Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 11:42 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 10:59 AM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 08:10 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  Well clearly the MAC has a problem. NIU left, Miami wants out. The question is how does Steinbrecher address this. Ii would reach out to Miami today and ask what theu want. I would also be seeking top fcs programs and other schools we discussed in the past, wku, South Dakota, Montanas to help strengthen the MAC and add stability

Offer Toledo, Miami, and Ohio more of the conference revenue than the rest of the MAC schools to keep them from leaving?

I don't feel that would make much sense at all. The MAC doesn't have a Boise St, Gonzaga, etc. program who is clearly on a different level from everyone else. Who is good often rotates and most people who tune in to watch MACtion are doing it because they want to watch football on a Tuesday or Wednesday night, not because Toledo, Miami, or WMU are playing.

The MAC is already a bottom 2 FBS conference. Even if it loses a school or two it doesn't dramatically change the conferences position. This wouldn't be a MWC situation where all the best teams fled so you're significantly weaker over night. The MAC is already near or at the bottom so there really isn't much room to fall.

The travel advantages for being in the MAC if Miami is not in the conference changes for some of the schools.

The academics in the conference take a blow if Miami leaves.

The question is would it be still better than CUSA for Toledo, Ohio, Buffalo, UMass? I would tend to say yes. If Toledo was to leave too then its time for Ohio, Buffalo, Umass to consider a move to CUSA at that point.

I don't feel Miami leaving would change much for travel besides Ball State and maybe OU. The geographic middle of the conference is just slightly west of Cleveland. Miami is already out on the perimeter from that.

I know some here get carried away and are obsessed with expansion discussion, but I just don't see the value in C-USA or the SunBelt ballooning to 14+ member conferences. None of those MAC schools are a big enough brand to command a serious bump in TV money, especially as ESPN and other streaming services are looking to trim costs, so having the same sized pie but cutting it more ways just means every existing team in the conference walks away with less.

Now if Miami went to the AAC and said they would pay $20 million and forego all TV money for an extended period of time, let's say 10 years, (like Sac State did) that might make the math make sense, but Miami doesn't seem to be at that level of desperation to leave the MAC.

SBC is already at 14 and they were talking maybe 16 to get a bump in media money.

UMass was a candidate for CUSA just a few years ago. CUSA I'm sure would love to have them rather than be stuck at 10. My opinion but if offered the oppportunity to grab a few MAC schools they would do it.

(09-25-2026 09:07 AM)astr083 Wrote:  ... Additionally, I just don't see the appeal to get into the AAC other than any type of academic alliance they may have...... It's also not much better than the MAC. ...

This is quite silly take.

EG, Sagarin rankings:

...
5. 75.90 ACC
6. 64.66 Pac12
7. 63.64 AAC
8. 60.94 SBC-East
9. 58.83 SBC-West
10. 58.73 Mountain West
11. 57.42 CUSA
12. 57.36 MVC
13. 54.04 MAC
14. 50.21 Big Sky
15. 48.52 Ivy League
...

(09-25-2026 01:24 PM)AllBronco Wrote:  Miami, you're just being too darn cheap with your puny offer. Memphis previously tried to buy its way into the Big 12 with a massive $200M–$250M financial package, which was rebuffed. And you should be ashamed to make that low ball offer.

To be fair, the difference between the best football conference of the Middle Two and the second best football conference of the Group of Six would warrant a substantially smaller offer.

https://x.com/UConnHuskyAD/status/2103506813505478959

There is a high probability that this whole report is warped and completely non credible.

Imagine offering someone $40 million dollars and they still reject you!

(09-25-2026 02:23 PM)NWBearcat Wrote:  There is a high probability that this whole report is warped and completely non credible.

Unlikely. This is now the third instance of MAC schools being reported to leave in last year and a half.

It was NIU and Toledo for MWC, then Ohio to SBC, and now Miami to AAC.

The MAC needs ESPN to save them from losing their best schools but I don't see ESPN caring enough to do it. There has been nothing preventing ESPN from extending the MAC media deal early and offering a significant increase (they did it the last time for a 13-year extension).

(09-25-2026 02:31 PM)epasnoopy Wrote:  

(09-25-2026 02:23 PM)NWBearcat Wrote:  There is a high probability that this whole report is warped and completely non credible.

Unlikely. This is now the third instance of MAC schools being reported to leave in last year and a half.

It was NIU and Toledo for MWC, then Ohio to SBC, and now Miami to AAC.

The MAC needs ESPN to save them from losing their best schools but I don't see ESPN caring enough to do it. There has been nothing preventing ESPN from extending the MAC media deal early and offering a significant increase (they did it the last time for a 13-year extension).

Incredibly likely. For one, it's McMurphy for two, the UConn and JMU stuff was pretty much a fabrication.

Imo there’s an opinion within Miami athletics that the MAC is going to collapse or fall back to FCS at some point so we need to get ahead of it. I don’t think they’re wrong. If the conference and college athletics were frozen in 2010s amber then this wouldn’t make sense, but it’s still being get ready to spend well into nine figures on a new arena if you don’t have a vision of being a strong athletic program indefinitely.

(09-25-2026 02:23 PM)NWBearcat Wrote:  There is a high probability that this whole report is warped and completely non credible.

McMurphy seems bad at math, and there might be some warping here. Someone has an agenda here, and until we understand what that agenda, it's tough to say what might be warped.

But McMurphy is not wholly wrong here, either. Someone leaked this to him, and Miami isn't even bothering to deny it to the Cincinnati Enquirer.

https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/...935881007/

This report doesn't mean anything is going to happen now or even in five years. Miami offered $40 million, and the American still said "no." So that doesn't seem terribly promising to me.

Also, on that $40 million: I imagine we are not talking about a pile of cash that Miami would hand over, but rather (mostly) foregone revenue from its future share of American revenue.