(10-28-2026 09:47 AM)astr083 Wrote:  I really see no reason why Miami(OH) would pony up $40 mil to join another G6 conference - the AAC is not far and away better than the MAC.

The American has a much more lucrative television contract. Even if Miami were to get less than a full share of it, that's a lot of money. Plus, Miami would probably be looking at this as a way to put some separation between themselves and the other Ohio schools in the MAC by joining a conference with strong academic institutions such as the service academies and Tulane.

All that said: This seems risky to me. We are talking about a football program that could only draw 12,000 people on a perfect September Saturday this year for Bowling Green. I can't help but wonder if Miami would eventually run into some of the kind of financial and competitive problems that have plagued Rutgers since they joined the Big Ten.

(10-28-2026 10:24 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  If Ohio gets the Sunbelt invite, they are gone.

Would Ohio leave for the Sun Belt in search of less television revenue? Or would it be the opportunity for its non-revenue teams to see more parts of the country?

If you have evidence of real interest there, please share it. But I'm not seeing much upside to the Sun Belt.

Schools need to generate substantial additional revenue for a conference in order to get disproportional revenue share. Gonzaga had several deep tournament runs and raised the profile of the WCC before they got their deal. Programs like Boise State were making NY6 bowls before they got their deal with the MWC.

The MAC doesn't have any of those programs that consistently bring in millions more for the conference annually. Nobody really is in position to ask for more than an even split.

(10-27-2026 10:28 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  For the panickers...

PAC--8 members

MW-- 8 full time FBS, 2 FB-only

CUSA- 10 full time members

[All these numbers refer to FBS FB]

***********************

Even if you lost the "OHIO Three"...

The MAC would still be at 10 members (one of which is FB-only).

Most MAC revenue would be split Nine ways--giving each remaining school quite a raise.

Additionally>>10 seems to be the best minimum media deal required membership--as witnessed by MW and CUSA officials comments.

So--MAC would be OK in that respect.

Spot on. I'm just a fan of a FB only member and I'm not buying any of the "MAC will implode" narratives. The MAC will be fine, and if needed, can probably negotiate a regional FCS program into joining if deemed necessary.

Back to the OP of the TV deal, the MAC Commish had an interview during halftime of the Ball-Sac Bowl and said a deal is done and the paperwork just needs to get finalized.

(10-28-2026 10:46 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 09:47 AM)astr083 Wrote:  I really see no reason why Miami(OH) would pony up $40 mil to join another G6 conference - the AAC is not far and away better than the MAC.

The American has a much more lucrative television contract. Even if Miami were to get less than a full share of it, that's a lot of money. Plus, Miami would probably be looking at this as a way to put some separation between themselves and the other Ohio schools in the MAC by joining a conference with strong academic institutions such as the service academies and Tulane.

All that said: This seems risky to me. We are talking about a football program that could only draw 12,000 people on a perfect September Saturday this year for Bowling Green. I can't help but wonder if Miami would eventually run into some of the kind of financial and competitive problems that have plagued Rutgers since they joined the Big Ten.

(10-28-2026 10:24 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  If Ohio gets the Sunbelt invite, they are gone.

Would Ohio leave for the Sun Belt in search of less television revenue? Or would it be the opportunity for its non-revenue teams to see more parts of the country?

If you have evidence of real interest there, please share it. But I'm not seeing much upside to the Sun Belt.

I thought the SBC paid more?
Also, would Saturday's in Athens hosting Marshall, App State, ect..be beneficial to OU and Athens.

Would having divisional conference mates in the Virginias, Carolinas, and Georgia help OU exposure to fb recruits in those areas.

Ohio has tremendous potential. I think they can grow in the SBC and they can grow the SBC.

(10-28-2026 02:15 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 10:46 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 09:47 AM)astr083 Wrote:  I really see no reason why Miami(OH) would pony up $40 mil to join another G6 conference - the AAC is not far and away better than the MAC.

The American has a much more lucrative television contract. Even if Miami were to get less than a full share of it, that's a lot of money. Plus, Miami would probably be looking at this as a way to put some separation between themselves and the other Ohio schools in the MAC by joining a conference with strong academic institutions such as the service academies and Tulane.

All that said: This seems risky to me. We are talking about a football program that could only draw 12,000 people on a perfect September Saturday this year for Bowling Green. I can't help but wonder if Miami would eventually run into some of the kind of financial and competitive problems that have plagued Rutgers since they joined the Big Ten.

(10-28-2026 10:24 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  If Ohio gets the Sunbelt invite, they are gone.

Would Ohio leave for the Sun Belt in search of less television revenue? Or would it be the opportunity for its non-revenue teams to see more parts of the country?

If you have evidence of real interest there, please share it. But I'm not seeing much upside to the Sun Belt.

I thought the SBC paid more?
Also, would Saturday's in Athens hosting Marshall, App State, ect..be beneficial to OU and Athens.

Would having divisional conference mates in the Virginias, Carolinas, and Georgia help OU exposure to fb recruits in those areas.

Ohio has tremendous potential. I think they can grow in the SBC and they can grow the SBC.

No one in Ohio considers themselves southern, so joining the SBC doesn't make much sense outside of those games against ASU and Marshall. Those games would be great non-conference games, but the rest of the teams in the SBC really would not be a draw at all, especially over their long standing rivalries in the MAC. I think people in Athens prefer the Ohio/MI/IN/NY/MA teams stay on their schedule over anything the SBC offers (outside of MU and ASU). Also, the SBC is a major step below the MAC academically, and the travel would dig into OU's athletic budget substantially. The SBC TV contract only offers more money for now, but when the MAC's new contract is completed, I have a strong feeling the MAC will be making more than the SBC. The MAC made more money than the SBC when their last contract was renewed, I see no reason why that won't happen again this time around. While the SBC has made great strides over the last decade, the MAC is still the better conference, and having the conference championships in neutral locations like Detroit (football), Cleveland (basketball), and Columbus (soccer) is much better for OU fans than anything located in the South. Additionally, when the rumors were started about OU possibly joining the SBC a year ago, many OU fans were against it and wanted to stay in the MAC. Joining the SBC just doesn't seem to make much sense at this point, or really ever, unless the MAC completely collapses.

polkhigh, while thinking it would be good rekindled rivalry, not sure Marshall's influence on the Sun Belt's choices with JMU leaving. There are good CUSA candidates closer to most of the Sun Belt as Jacksonville State. Not sure how Troy feels about them. There are others, including WKU.

Ohio having to fly their Olympic sport teams to Louisiana, Mississippi, Arkansas, etc probably isn't exactly cheap. We'll have to wait to hear final numbers on the MAC TV deal, but travel costs would likely more than offset any additional TV money they'd receive.

This also doesn't factor in OU enrollment is heavily driven by recruiting students from other regions in Ohio. Also, that's where huge blocks of their living alumni live. Outside of Kent, OU probably brings the most fans to Akron games because they have so many alumni in the Cleveland area.

(10-28-2026 03:24 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 02:15 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 10:46 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 09:47 AM)astr083 Wrote:  I really see no reason why Miami(OH) would pony up $40 mil to join another G6 conference - the AAC is not far and away better than the MAC.

The American has a much more lucrative television contract. Even if Miami were to get less than a full share of it, that's a lot of money. Plus, Miami would probably be looking at this as a way to put some separation between themselves and the other Ohio schools in the MAC by joining a conference with strong academic institutions such as the service academies and Tulane.

All that said: This seems risky to me. We are talking about a football program that could only draw 12,000 people on a perfect September Saturday this year for Bowling Green. I can't help but wonder if Miami would eventually run into some of the kind of financial and competitive problems that have plagued Rutgers since they joined the Big Ten.

(10-28-2026 10:24 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  If Ohio gets the Sunbelt invite, they are gone.

Would Ohio leave for the Sun Belt in search of less television revenue? Or would it be the opportunity for its non-revenue teams to see more parts of the country?

If you have evidence of real interest there, please share it. But I'm not seeing much upside to the Sun Belt.

I thought the SBC paid more?
Also, would Saturday's in Athens hosting Marshall, App State, ect..be beneficial to OU and Athens.

Would having divisional conference mates in the Virginias, Carolinas, and Georgia help OU exposure to fb recruits in those areas.

Ohio has tremendous potential. I think they can grow in the SBC and they can grow the SBC.

No one in Ohio considers themselves southern, so joining the SBC doesn't make much sense outside of those games against ASU and Marshall. Those games would be great non-conference games, but the rest of the teams in the SBC really would not be a draw at all, especially over their long standing rivalries in the MAC. I think people in Athens prefer the Ohio/MI/IN/NY/MA teams stay on their schedule over anything the SBC offers (outside of MU and ASU). Also, the SBC is a major step below the MAC academically, and the travel would dig into OU's athletic budget substantially. The SBC TV contract only offers more money for now, but when the MAC's new contract is completed, I have a strong feeling the MAC will be making more than the SBC. The MAC made more money than the SBC when their last contract was renewed, I see no reason why that won't happen again this time around. While the SBC has made great strides over the last decade, the MAC is still the better conference, and having the conference championships in neutral locations like Detroit (football), Cleveland (basketball), and Columbus (soccer) is much better for OU fans than anything located in the South. Additionally, when the rumors were started about OU possibly joining the SBC a year ago, many OU fans were against it and wanted to stay in the MAC. Joining the SBC just doesn't seem to make much sense at this point, or really ever, unless the MAC completely collapses.

The SBC East is kind of broken up into two regions. Appalachia with Marshall, Appalachian State and James Madison. Then you have the Atlantic Coast schools with Old Dominion, Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern with Georgia State being the outlier. So Ohio doesn't have to feel southern, but I do think they can connect with the Appalachian culture (maybe). But who knows what will happen, maybe it all depends on what happens with Miami and Toledo. It's definitely interesting to say the least.

If Miami stays, then Ohio stays. I do think Ohio is the number one choice with either Delaware and Liberty next in line. If all three fall through then there might be a slight chance we go after FIU (I doubt it, but it's great recruiting grounds). We'll probably just stay at 13 for the foreseeable future.

(10-28-2026 08:28 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  I do think Ohio is the number one choice with either Delaware and Liberty next in line. If all three fall through then there might be a slight chance we go after FIU (I doubt it, but it's great recruiting grounds).

Not Western Kentucky? They were said to be runner-up last time.

(10-29-2026 11:03 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 08:28 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  I do think Ohio is the number one choice with either Delaware and Liberty next in line. If all three fall through then there might be a slight chance we go after FIU (I doubt it, but it's great recruiting grounds).

Not Western Kentucky? They were said to be runner-up last time.

WKU for the SBC West.

(10-28-2026 08:28 PM)GreenBison Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 03:24 PM)astr083 Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 02:15 PM)polkhigh Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 10:46 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 09:47 AM)astr083 Wrote:  I really see no reason why Miami(OH) would pony up $40 mil to join another G6 conference - the AAC is not far and away better than the MAC.

The American has a much more lucrative television contract. Even if Miami were to get less than a full share of it, that's a lot of money. Plus, Miami would probably be looking at this as a way to put some separation between themselves and the other Ohio schools in the MAC by joining a conference with strong academic institutions such as the service academies and Tulane.

All that said: This seems risky to me. We are talking about a football program that could only draw 12,000 people on a perfect September Saturday this year for Bowling Green. I can't help but wonder if Miami would eventually run into some of the kind of financial and competitive problems that have plagued Rutgers since they joined the Big Ten.

(10-28-2026 10:24 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  If Ohio gets the Sunbelt invite, they are gone.

Would Ohio leave for the Sun Belt in search of less television revenue? Or would it be the opportunity for its non-revenue teams to see more parts of the country?

If you have evidence of real interest there, please share it. But I'm not seeing much upside to the Sun Belt.

I thought the SBC paid more?
Also, would Saturday's in Athens hosting Marshall, App State, ect..be beneficial to OU and Athens.

Would having divisional conference mates in the Virginias, Carolinas, and Georgia help OU exposure to fb recruits in those areas.

Ohio has tremendous potential. I think they can grow in the SBC and they can grow the SBC.

No one in Ohio considers themselves southern, so joining the SBC doesn't make much sense outside of those games against ASU and Marshall. Those games would be great non-conference games, but the rest of the teams in the SBC really would not be a draw at all, especially over their long standing rivalries in the MAC. I think people in Athens prefer the Ohio/MI/IN/NY/MA teams stay on their schedule over anything the SBC offers (outside of MU and ASU). Also, the SBC is a major step below the MAC academically, and the travel would dig into OU's athletic budget substantially. The SBC TV contract only offers more money for now, but when the MAC's new contract is completed, I have a strong feeling the MAC will be making more than the SBC. The MAC made more money than the SBC when their last contract was renewed, I see no reason why that won't happen again this time around. While the SBC has made great strides over the last decade, the MAC is still the better conference, and having the conference championships in neutral locations like Detroit (football), Cleveland (basketball), and Columbus (soccer) is much better for OU fans than anything located in the South. Additionally, when the rumors were started about OU possibly joining the SBC a year ago, many OU fans were against it and wanted to stay in the MAC. Joining the SBC just doesn't seem to make much sense at this point, or really ever, unless the MAC completely collapses.

The SBC East is kind of broken up into two regions. Appalachia with Marshall, Appalachian State and James Madison. Then you have the Atlantic Coast schools with Old Dominion, Coastal Carolina and Georgia Southern with Georgia State being the outlier. So Ohio doesn't have to feel southern, but I do think they can connect with the Appalachian culture (maybe). But who knows what will happen, maybe it all depends on what happens with Miami and Toledo. It's definitely interesting to say the least.

If Miami stays, then Ohio stays. I do think Ohio is the number one choice with either Delaware and Liberty next in line. If all three fall through then there might be a slight chance we go after FIU (I doubt it, but it's great recruiting grounds). We'll probably just stay at 13 for the foreseeable future.

No one in Ohio wants to be in the SBC. There really is no appeal outside of the Appalachian connection with Marshall and App State. At best it's a lateral move, but I don't even think it's a lateral move. The MAC has historically been the stronger conference in football, men's and women's basketball, and most other sports (outside of baseball). With arguably the strongest brand in the SBC (JMU) now gone, any appeal that may have been there has definitely diminished.

Not sure but connect with Commissioner Dr. Steinbrecher talking about teams investing.

https://umassathletics.com/news/2026/10/...s-football

Quote:The Riccios are among the University’s most significant donors. They previously gave $50 million to the College of Engineering to fuel innovative research, strengthen academic excellence and expand access and opportunity for engineering students, and $15 million to UMass Chan Medical School to support advances in neuroscience research.

(10-28-2026 10:24 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  

(10-28-2026 09:47 AM)astr083 Wrote:  I do not think Miami/Toledo/Ohio are going anywhere. They could very well be leveraging their status in the conference to try and get more money than the other schools from the new TV deal to stay in the MAC. I really see no reason why Miami(OH) would pony up $40 mil to join another G6 conference - the AAC is not far and away better than the MAC. Keep in mind, James Madison only paid $23 mil to leave for the AAC, and Memphis offered the Big 12 far less to join, and the Big 12 is P4 (and they didn't get in). I see nothing but rumors at this point. Additionally, Toledo going to the MWC makes zero sense from a geographical and competitive standpoint, and Ohio to the SBC also doesn't make much sense either for the same reasons, especially with JMU gone. I just don't see the MAC falling apart like the doomsayer's here are implying. I think the MAC's new TV deal will provide much more coverage on the major ESPN networks/CW, or even FS1/TNT outside of the weekday games, however, I unfortunately do not see the weeknight games coming to an end. I do think there will be far less games on Tuesday's and Wednesdays, and more games on Thursdays and Fridays.

I believe Memphis offered over 200 million.

If Miami gets the AAC invite, they are gone. If Ohio gets the Sunbelt invite, they are gone. If both those things happen, Toledo will also be gone.

You are right, I thought it was 20 mil, but it was $200 mil, with 150 of that coming from FedEx/corporate sponsorships, I believe.

Quote:I believe Memphis offered over 200 million.

I would not put up 1/5th of a BILLION dollars to join the AAC. Call me crazy. :)

But I can understand Miami putting up a 1/20th, maybe somewhat close to 1/10th of $200 million if the AAC wants someone added in their conference. I'm thinking UConn would be desired more, assuming they are set to put good $$ in their football program in or out of AAC.

Quote:If Miami gets the AAC invite, they are gone.

I agree, if the invite's basically real and not a MAC "inviting" Sac State type of thing. :)

Quote:If Ohio gets the Sunbelt invite, they are gone.

I don't agree. Not unless someone powerful at Ohio has strong disdain being in the MAC or something. With James Madison leaving Sun Belt, the Sun Belt is not at all any sizeable "up" over the MAC. True, if Ohio goes, it'll be somewhat sizeably better, and if Toledo follows suit, then it'd be Very solidly better than the MAC. But that's IF you leave to go to that conference -- not how conferences are right now for Reason to move. Hence, it would require disdain to the MAC and the way it's handled/going regardless; especially since there'd solidly be more travel costs.

Because if Miami and/or UConn join AAC like James Madison from SunBelt did -- that's full. People like Marshall from SunBelt or Liberty from CUSA or Ohio/Toledo from MAC wanting join it, can't/won't happen then. And going to P12 is way on the other side of the Mississippi, so that's not happening -- and the Mountain West isn't worth it, to be like NIU to join for football, but not basketball.

I don't think Ohio makes the first move. But if Miami (likely) and Toledo (possibly) leave, then Ohio likely jumps on an invite if offered, and understandably so.

Big 12 Commissioner Brett Yormark is stepping down effective Jan. 31, 2027.

(10-30-2026 12:38 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  I don't think Ohio makes the first move. But if Miami (likely) and Toledo (possibly) leave, then Ohio likely jumps on an invite if offered, and understandably so.

I mean, my alma mater MiamiU aims to move, but they are not aiming for just any move, they want to get into the AAC. Figuring that they are likely to move means the AAC is likely to invite them, and then if the AAC was inclined to invite them, why not invite them alongside JMU?

(10-27-2026 10:15 AM)billybobby777 Wrote:  I think espn is trying to figure things out with G6 realignment before they pull the trigger on continuing Tuesday and Wednesday night college football with the MAC. I’ve noticed CUSA moving in on those slots this year and am wondering if ESPN would getter better ratings with NMSU, Delaware, SHSU, Liberty and others of that ilk over MAC schools? I’m also thinking a few MAC schools will be moving to other conferences/dropping FBS football very shortly.

When the MAC signed its last TV deal with ESPN 85% of households were cable subscribers and now that number is down to 35%.

The push is now into linear TV with cable fading. It only makes sense for the MAC to consider doing something new compared with the model for the past 20 years.

Additionally championship games are going away and for a G6 conference a lot of the money is associated with having a conference championship game. That could adversely affect TV value in the new MAC deal.

I don't think Miami leaving the MAC hurts on the TV deal very much if at all. Toledo has the best brand value in the MAC and Ohio carries more of the southern part of the state than what Miami does.

Population of MAC States (rough estimates):

California 38,960,000
New York 19,852,000
Ohio 11,810,000
Michigan 10,078,000
Massachusetts 7,044,000
Indiana 6,851,000

Total: 94,595,000

Its still a good footprint for a 12 school G6 conference.

(10-27-2026 11:37 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-27-2026 09:46 AM)wmubroncopilot Wrote:  By late winter is hyperbole.

Let me explain my thinking a bit more.

My guess is that MAC presidents already have a sense of what a new deal with ESPN will look like -- the likely financial value, the amount and types of inventory required for weeknight football, and how the terms might vary a bit depending on the conference lineup.

If we assume that Miami is actively negotiating to move to the American, now is probably not an ideal time to ink a television deal. If Miami thinks it is on the brink of a deal with the American, they aren't going to agree to a grant of rights.

Another wildcard is who is available to replace Miami. As interested as Western Kentucky might be in moving to the MAC -- and the Blade reported last winter that mutual interest is there -- they might prefer the Sun Belt, where they appear to have been a runner-up last time. If that's the direction Western Kentucky is leaning, it might make sense for the MAC to wait until that is resolved before working on another option, such as Delaware (or whoever).

One of the main attractions of playing in the MAC for WKU would be to play Miami as the closest school. With Miami not in the MAC you can basically forget WKU wanting to join the MAC. The MAC has also lost NIU in the central timezone. I would say for WKU the teams are NIU, Ball St and Miami which would be most important on the schedule and now two of those are out the door.

In all honesty the MAC shouldn't backfill for Miami and just stay at 11 schools in BB and 12 in BB with Sac State.

(10-27-2026 11:48 AM)kreed5120 Wrote:  Why would we need to replace Miami if they left? Without Miami we're at 12 football members and 11 all sport members. That makes football scheduling very convenient and personally I feel a 20 game conference schedule is better than 22 as it adds slightly more flexibility, but would still preserve the double round robin.

Expansion for the sake of expansion is worthless. It only makes sense if there is an obvious reason to do it.

I agree.