(10-11-2021 04:03 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-11-2021 12:31 PM)ericsaid Wrote:  

(10-11-2021 11:30 AM)RamblinRedWolf Wrote:  

(10-11-2021 11:15 AM)HighlandsApp Wrote:  Temple's president speaking out on the need for regional conferences to benefit student-athletes:

https://247sports.com/college/temple/Art...172818580/

Interesting. I still can't imagine AAC going along with this plan (at least for the upcoming future) but it's intriguing to hear an American team come out as a proponent to it.

It actually fits with the claims of who is being looked at in that CBS Article.

Adding App State, UAB, UNT, and UTSA does a few things:

1. App State and ECU while not close within the context of North Carolina, are close in terms of geographical footprint of the conference. They would also bring the AAC to the forefront of the state since App and ECU are two FOOTBALL schools, and the only two FOOTBALL schools, in the State. Everywhere else is basketball first. That's a win for the AAC and ESPN.

2. UAB - UAB provides a center point between Tulane, USF, App State, and ECU and obviously brings increased funding and the market of Birmingham. That is a geographical fit

3. UNT - UNT is in the same market as SMU so the AAC doesn't gain a new market as with App and UAB, but they do provide a travel partner for SMU and increase visibility of the AAC as a meaningful rivalry would undoubtedly develop between the public North Texas and small private SMU. They also provide another regional game for both Tulsa and Wichita State (should either of them stay).

4. UTSA - This is the only pure market add that I can tell. They may substitute for not having a suitable add in the Houston market. They are also as far from Tulane as UAB is from USF so while bring a fringe program in terms of geography, they still bring a new market while being close enough.

I highly doubt the scenario that the CBS Article proposes is the truth, and if it is that those will be the four schools added. The name drop and claims of a source are interesting enough though, since everyone here is always asking for sources.

However that still may not be a better option than the Sun Belt. It's effectively the same footprint with presumably more exposure on linear television networks and a return to almost all Saturday games. If the Sun Belt can get rid of Tuesday/Wednesday games, keep Thursday/Friday games, and then have an opportunity for linear network Saturday games, I believe the Belt is the better option with a couple of targeted adds.

Eric already latching on to the single article that mentioned App as a possible aAC candidate I see

I reported weeks ago AppState was a possibility based what I’ve heard…. especially if the westward gambit failed… which it has.