Apparently if BYU doesn't join the WAC for all sports except football by September 1, then the $5 million penalty fee from Nevada and Fresno State won't be payable. Therefore, unless BYU decides in the next few days to go independent in football AND joins the WAC for all other sports, the penalty is off and the big payday that La Tech supporters have been talking about won't happen.

Seems to me that BYU joining the WAC for all sports other than football is the least likely senario now. If they go independent in football, I think they will hook up with the WCC for the other sports. No penalty payments. Or they decide to stay in the MWC conference for now at least. No penalty payments.

Here's a link to the story:

http://www.cougarfan.com/article.asp?Art...n-byu.html

Yeah but they my try and keep us til 2012 so we'd probably pay them to let us out in 2011. Someone on the WAC board said Nevada is leaving in 2011. I don't know how they did that but, we'll see.

(08-26-2010 07:49 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  Yeah but they my try and keep us til 2012 so we'd probably pay them to let us out in 2011. Someone on the WAC board said Nevada is leaving in 2011. I don't know how they did that but, we'll see.

Wow, so no $5 million each and everybodies leaving early; what a surprise.

Tech, you watching? Your two year time horizon just got cut in half.

(08-27-2010 07:48 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  

(08-26-2010 07:49 PM)Fresno St. Alum Wrote:  Yeah but they my try and keep us til 2012 so we'd probably pay them to let us out in 2010. Someone on the WAC board said Nevada is leaving in 2011. I don't know how they did that but, we'll see.

Wow, so no $5 million each and everybodies leaving early; what a surprise.

Tech, you watching? Your two year time horizon just got cut in half.

I am sure that if Fresno and Nevada are willing to pony up enough money, the WAC will let them out after the 2010 season. Per the bylaws they cannot leave until after the 2011 season due to the timing of thier announcement.

As to the $5 million buyout - who knows what the truth is. Everyone has an opinion. I am sure that one will end up in the courts. Gonna be ugly for all parties involved.

(08-27-2010 08:40 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  I am sure that if Fresno and Nevada are willing to pony up enough money, the WAC will let them out after the 2011 season. Per the bylaws they cannot leave until after the 2012 season due to the timing of thier announcement.

As to the $5 million buyout - who knows what the truth is. Everyone has an opinion. I am sure that one will end up in the courts. Gonna be ugly for all parties involved.

The contract would be null and void if BYU does not join the WAC.

And with all that has transpired, I give the chances of BYU to the WAC about slim and none. BYU needs to declare their intentions to the MWC by Sept. 1, so we won't have long to wait.

p.s. Fresno and Nevada may 'pony-up' nothing if the WAC disbands.

(08-27-2010 08:52 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:40 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  I am sure that if Fresno and Nevada are willing to pony up enough money, the WAC will let them out after the 2011 season. Per the bylaws they cannot leave until after the 2012 season due to the timing of thier announcement.

As to the $5 million buyout - who knows what the truth is. Everyone has an opinion. I am sure that one will end up in the courts. Gonna be ugly for all parties involved.

The contract would be null and void if BYU does not join the WAC.

And with all that has transpired, I give the chances of BYU to the WAC about slim and none. BYU needs to declare their intentions to the MWC by Sept. 1, so we won't have long to wait.

p.s. Fresno and Nevada may 'pony-up' nothing if the WAC disbands.

Worst case scenario the WAC will not disband for two years. Fresno and Nevada are members (albeit not willing) for two more years.

If the Belt were to add NMSU and they accepted they will also be members for 2 more years. If Hawaii decides to go indy, they will have the same situation.

For Fresno and Nevada to leave the same time as Boise they will have to work out some type of deal. I can guarantee Benson will make it expensive. What has he got to lose?

(08-27-2010 09:41 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:52 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:40 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  I am sure that if Fresno and Nevada are willing to pony up enough money, the WAC will let them out after the 2011 season. Per the bylaws they cannot leave until after the 2012 season due to the timing of thier announcement.

As to the $5 million buyout - who knows what the truth is. Everyone has an opinion. I am sure that one will end up in the courts. Gonna be ugly for all parties involved.

The contract would be null and void if BYU does not join the WAC.

And with all that has transpired, I give the chances of BYU to the WAC about slim and none. BYU needs to declare their intentions to the MWC by Sept. 1, so we won't have long to wait.

p.s. Fresno and Nevada may 'pony-up' nothing if the WAC disbands.

Worst case scenario the WAC will not disband for two years. Fresno and Nevada are members (albeit not willing) for two more years.

If the Belt were to add NMSU and they accepted they will also be members for 2 more years. If Hawaii decides to go indy, they will have the same situation.

For Fresno and Nevada to leave the same time as Boise they will have to work out some type of deal. I can guarantee Benson will make it expensive. What has he got to lose?

Nevada AD sez they are leaving in 2011.
WAC board thread
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=451&f=2368&t=6264904

(08-27-2010 09:57 AM)MG61 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 09:41 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:52 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:40 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  I am sure that if Fresno and Nevada are willing to pony up enough money, the WAC will let them out after the 2011 season. Per the bylaws they cannot leave until after the 2012 season due to the timing of thier announcement.

As to the $5 million buyout - who knows what the truth is. Everyone has an opinion. I am sure that one will end up in the courts. Gonna be ugly for all parties involved.

The contract would be null and void if BYU does not join the WAC.

And with all that has transpired, I give the chances of BYU to the WAC about slim and none. BYU needs to declare their intentions to the MWC by Sept. 1, so we won't have long to wait.

p.s. Fresno and Nevada may 'pony-up' nothing if the WAC disbands.

Worst case scenario the WAC will not disband for two years. Fresno and Nevada are members (albeit not willing) for two more years.

If the Belt were to add NMSU and they accepted they will also be members for 2 more years. If Hawaii decides to go indy, they will have the same situation.

For Fresno and Nevada to leave the same time as Boise they will have to work out some type of deal. I can guarantee Benson will make it expensive. What has he got to lose?

Nevada AD sez they are leaving in 2011.
WAC board thread
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=451&f=2368&t=6264904

And Memphis is going to the Big East....

And Fed Ex is paying the Big East $10 million to take Memphis....

And on August 27th Mars will look like a second moon....

And UTA is bringing back football....

It must be true, I saw it on the internet.

(08-27-2010 10:19 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 09:57 AM)MG61 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 09:41 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:52 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:40 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  I am sure that if Fresno and Nevada are willing to pony up enough money, the WAC will let them out after the 2011 season. Per the bylaws they cannot leave until after the 2012 season due to the timing of thier announcement.

As to the $5 million buyout - who knows what the truth is. Everyone has an opinion. I am sure that one will end up in the courts. Gonna be ugly for all parties involved.

The contract would be null and void if BYU does not join the WAC.

And with all that has transpired, I give the chances of BYU to the WAC about slim and none. BYU needs to declare their intentions to the MWC by Sept. 1, so we won't have long to wait.

p.s. Fresno and Nevada may 'pony-up' nothing if the WAC disbands.

Worst case scenario the WAC will not disband for two years. Fresno and Nevada are members (albeit not willing) for two more years.

If the Belt were to add NMSU and they accepted they will also be members for 2 more years. If Hawaii decides to go indy, they will have the same situation.

For Fresno and Nevada to leave the same time as Boise they will have to work out some type of deal. I can guarantee Benson will make it expensive. What has he got to lose?

Nevada AD sez they are leaving in 2011.
WAC board thread
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=451&f=2368&t=6264904

And Memphis is going to the Big East....

And Fed Ex is paying the Big East $10 million to take Memphis....

And on August 27th Mars will look like a second moon....

And UTA is bringing back football....

It must be true, I saw it on the internet.

I just posted what he said and didn't comment on the validity or non validity of the statement. How do you equate that with the multiple Memphis to Big East threads ? Are you so sure they are not leaving in 2011 ?:odie:

(08-27-2010 10:25 AM)MG61 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 10:19 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 09:57 AM)MG61 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 09:41 AM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(08-27-2010 08:52 AM)FIUFan Wrote:  The contract would be null and void if BYU does not join the WAC.

And with all that has transpired, I give the chances of BYU to the WAC about slim and none. BYU needs to declare their intentions to the MWC by Sept. 1, so we won't have long to wait.

p.s. Fresno and Nevada may 'pony-up' nothing if the WAC disbands.

Worst case scenario the WAC will not disband for two years. Fresno and Nevada are members (albeit not willing) for two more years.

If the Belt were to add NMSU and they accepted they will also be members for 2 more years. If Hawaii decides to go indy, they will have the same situation.

For Fresno and Nevada to leave the same time as Boise they will have to work out some type of deal. I can guarantee Benson will make it expensive. What has he got to lose?

Nevada AD sez they are leaving in 2011.
WAC board thread
http://mbd.scout.com/mb.aspx?s=451&f=2368&t=6264904

And Memphis is going to the Big East....

And Fed Ex is paying the Big East $10 million to take Memphis....

And on August 27th Mars will look like a second moon....

And UTA is bringing back football....

It must be true, I saw it on the internet.

I just posted what he said and didn't comment on the validity or non validity of the statement. How do you equate that with the multiple Memphis to Big East threads ? Are you so sure they are not leaving in 2011 ?:odie:

Actually it probably would be good for us for them to leave after this season. We are supposed to travel there in 2011.

We could schedule couple of teams to come to Ruston instead. Cutting those trips out would definitely help the potential drop in revenue that year.

Actually it probably would be good for us for them to leave after this season. We are supposed to travel there in 2011.

We could schedule couple of teams to come to Ruston instead. Cutting those trips out would definitely help the potential drop in revenue that year.
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Only problem with getting teams to Ruston is your history of low gate receipts for home games. If you could find someone to come for as little as $100,000 (problem is even a very low ranked fcs would demand more than that) you would still lose your butt. Only way Tech makes money is accepting body bag spot guarantees.

(08-28-2010 09:14 AM)eager eagle Wrote:  Only problem with getting teams to Ruston is your history of low gate receipts for home games. If you could find someone to come for as little as $100,000 (problem is even a very low ranked fcs would demand more than that) you would still lose your butt. Only way Tech makes money is accepting body bag spot guarantees.

Tech is exploring the possibilities of going independent for a couple of years, while some of this shakes out so that we can eye the landscape and decide what's best for us. So if we're thinking independent, I think we could replace a couple of games on a schedule. We already have USM and UH signed to long term deals. We could schedule SMU, UAB, Rice or UTEP and Tulane too (if we twisted their arm a little) in home and homes. Guarantees paid to each other are a wash.
Well, it probably won't come to that. Tech will probably accept a C-USA offer if a few things can be ironed out.
Oh, and don't worry about our finances. With increased attendance and growing enrollment and student success rates (and thus a larger state appropriation), $$$$$$$

WAC still in play?
9:26AM ET

Brigham Young Cougars


Both the Salt Lake Tribune and the Deseret News are reporting that BYU is still engaged in discussions with the Western Athletic Conference about possibly placing its nonfootball teams there. Commissioner Karl Benson told the Tribune on Friday evening: "Both sides are still working on a deal that will be beneficial to the WAC and to BYU."

Benson added that "nothing is imminent" but that an agreement is "still a possibility." The News reports that ESPN is a part of the discussions as well, according to a source.

The News' source told Jared Eborn that BYU pretty much remains committed to going independent in football (its No. 1 goal, according to the source, is to get out from under the Mountain West's TV contract), but that it could also keep its other teams in the MWC or remain a full member of the MWC if it gets concessions for BYUtv.

The source also said that ESPN and BYU are reaching out to MWC and Conference USA teams to gauge interest in jumping to the WAC. Eborn says that possible MWC defectors include Wyoming, Colorado State, Air Force and New Mexico, and possible C-USA defectors include SMU, Houston and UTEP.

Everything has to happen by Sept. 1, so we don't have much longer to wait.

Wow...all these news of conference shake up moves is kind of maddening. I guess we will find out next week more information as to what will be the future of all these conferences, including the SBC, and all these colleges.

(08-28-2010 09:49 AM)HamiltonJames Wrote:  Well, it probably won't come to that. Tech will probably accept a C-USA offer if a few things can be ironed out.
Oh, and don't worry about our finances. With increased attendance and growing enrollment and student success rates (and thus a larger state appropriation), $$$$$$$

Has there been anything concrete to give La Tech any of this certainty that they are C-USA's next invite?

Increased attendance? How much are you going to increase over your 20,000 average from last season?

(08-28-2010 09:49 AM)HamiltonJames Wrote:  

(08-28-2010 09:14 AM)eager eagle Wrote:  Only problem with getting teams to Ruston is your history of low gate receipts for home games. If you could find someone to come for as little as $100,000 (problem is even a very low ranked fcs would demand more than that) you would still lose your butt. Only way Tech makes money is accepting body bag spot guarantees.

Tech is exploring the possibilities of going independent for a couple of years, while some of this shakes out so that we can eye the landscape and decide what's best for us. So if we're thinking independent, I think we could replace a couple of games on a schedule. We already have USM and UH signed to long term deals. We could schedule SMU, UAB, Rice or UTEP and Tulane too (if we twisted their arm a little) in home and homes. Guarantees paid to each other are a wash.
Well, it probably won't come to that. Tech will probably accept a C-USA offer if a few things can be ironed out.
Oh, and don't worry about our finances. With increased attendance and growing enrollment and student success rates (and thus a larger state appropriation), $$$$$$$

----------------------------------------------
Sorry, my bad. I thought you were talking about bringing in teams to Ruston for a one and done deal, not on a return basis. My point was you cant afford (cant cover the cost of the guarantee) for a team to come in without a return.

Why would schools that bailed on the WAC come dashing back just to play BYU 2 out of 4 years if that frequently in football?

(08-28-2010 09:09 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Why would schools that bailed on the WAC come dashing back just to play BYU 2 out of 4 years if that frequently in football?

If this rumor is true there is supposed to be a serious bump up in TV revenue for the conference. Supposedly to the tune of doubling the WAC TV contract.

ESPN is not interested in letting the MTN get ahead on Thursday and Friday night college football games.

I have no idea how much is true, but supposedly ESPN is really interested in making this happen.

Guess we will know more next week.

(08-28-2010 09:38 PM)dchi72 Wrote:  

(08-28-2010 09:09 PM)arkstfan Wrote:  Why would schools that bailed on the WAC come dashing back just to play BYU 2 out of 4 years if that frequently in football?

If this rumor is true there is supposed to be a serious bump up in TV revenue for the conference. Supposedly to the tune of doubling the WAC TV contract.

ESPN is not interested in letting the MTN get ahead on Thursday and Friday night college football games.

I have no idea how much is true, but supposedly ESPN is really interested in making this happen.

Guess we will know more next week.

ESPN has no special interest in any of the non-AQ conferences; ESPN will do whatever is in the best interest of ESPN and screw any conference that gets in their way.

If ESPN wants that time slot why don't they just sponsor BYU and their move to being Indy? Heck, I am sure, even though the MWC has a contract with another network, ESPN can induce the MWC (better teams than the WAC) to keep BYU for all other sports and receive an extra $15M annually (another $1.5M per team if at 10 teams) to schedule BYU in football and air those non-conference games on ESPN along with other BYU games against national teams. ESPN would get more mileage on this deal than they would on presenting the nation with a patched up WAC and BYU deal. Anyways, what time slot are we talking? Games that start at 8 p.m. CST? If so, the SBC and MAC need to step up and offer a collaborative package to fill that time slot on Thursdays.