(07-17-2017 06:55 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(07-17-2017 06:47 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(07-17-2017 06:12 PM)NoDak Wrote:  

(07-16-2017 11:58 PM)dbackjon Wrote:  Yes 3-5 Montana and 2-6 MSU really set the standard

No one begged NoDak to come to the Big Sky ? And EVERYONE was happy to see them go

When NDSU moved up to DI, it had a former Mont St provost as it's president. He knew that that Montanas were bound and determined to get a North Dakota school presence, so he pushed and pushed for Big Sky entry. It failed more than once, not because the Montanas didn't desperately want NDSU, but because the other schools wanted No Colorado instead. One of the more bone headed moves in realignment history.

Funny how when UND's transition ended, as if by magic the Big Sky gates suddenly lurched open to both UND and USD. The posters here continue in their denial.

My comments on NAU being leeches were predicated on cable networks assigning such big bucks to televising cross country meets - not. If they did and if NAU got paying thronging crowds for their individual sports, NAU wouldnt be a leech. NAU brings almost nothing to advance Big Sky telecasts, although they have a good telecast system, but no following to speak of. The Big Sky having Root Sports as it's cable channel is almost entirely Montana driven. All other schools leech off it.

The number of schools available out west are small.

Note in 1996, the conference had dropped to 6 members. If there was ever a time for the Dakotas to join, it was then. Your cherished MT/MSU/EWU plus Weber and Idaho State, all Northern schools, could have easily pressed for them. they didn't.

Fast forward to 2012. BSC was at 9, not an ideal number. 12 was considered ideal. There were three schools available - SUU, UND, USD. The Big Sky offered all three. So the Big Sky considered UND on the same level as Southern Utah.

The Big Sky makes very little off of Root Sports, which is Northwest based and does not cover Arizona, so no, NAU would not be on Root Sports. NAU has its own deal with Fox Sports Arizona.



Now how are you going to move the goalposts again?

The Montana's got a coveted NoDak school, while NAU got SUU to console itself. SUU appears to be NAU's crying partner when the Montanas and Idaho leave. Would be nice if Fox Sports Arizona actually paid the Big Sky, as Root Sports does.

You will have Minot State to console yourself when Montana DOESN'T leave.

You'll have to talk to the Big Sky about the Fox Sports AZ deal.

Does Root Sport even pay the Big Sky?