(04-17-2022 02:48 PM)82hawk Wrote:  I don't think you can say that yet. The new N/S divisional setup could have benefits we can't even anticipate yet. In your scenario nothing changes excpet adding more schools. Here is what I predict will happen in the CAA in the next decade

1. FloSports will go away. It was an attempt to do something different than everybody else and it didn't pan out.
2. The CAA will get on ESPN and the addition of HBCU's will increase our appeal for tv exposure to ESPN and other networks.
3. The N/S divisional setup will reduce travel costs and allow those savings to be spent on actual enhancements to CAA athletic programs
4. The N/S divisional setup will increase attendance for all schools in all the revenue sports. Alumni will be able to attend events in a tighter geographical footprint that is more likely to be near where they end up living. Students and fans will be more likely to road trip to games they can drive to and come home from.
5. The increased attendance, better TV exposure and additional alumni engagement will result in increased giving to the schools and increased advertising and sponsorships from businesses.
6. The greater exposure, increased giving and cost savings will result in greater investment in facilities.
7. All of this will result in better recruiting, better coaches and more competitive athletic programs accross the board, which will mean more NCAA appearances.

As a whole the CAA is made up of some pretty impressive schools up and down the east coast. They are generally large in size and in decent sized cities, which means the upside is pretty good. The regional rivalries that are being setup will make for a more engaged fan base and a reason for students and alumni to attend games. The addition of the top east coast HBCU's is a cherry on top. I actually like the direction the CAA is going and the schools that are being added. I think A&T was a significant add which is going to pay off for the CAA and was likely the reason Howard came on board. The geography of the old CAA was holding the conference back. This truly regional setup is going to pay huge dividends and will also be far more attractive to regional corporate sponsors. I'll be interested to see how conference championships play out.

As you can see, i'm bullish on the CAA and its' future.

If you really wanna gameplan this out I could see the addition of Howard possibly leading to a CAA split with one of the divisons taking over the MEAC's conference shell and auto bids. Howard leaving puts the MEAC below NCAA minimums for D1 conference status.

I wouldn't be surprised if Central, Norfolk and SC State look to the Big South, which is in need of football schools, to ensure they have a safe home. Delaware State and the other DC area MEAC schools will likely be beating down the doors of the NEC, which is also in need of schools. If I were the CAA I'd invite Fairfield and Central for 15 and 16.

Once the Big South and NEC take who they want and the MEAC is left bare I'd make an offer to buy the conference shell. This way the 8 CAA North schools can continue on with the current CAA conference shell and the 8 CAA South schools can have their own 8 team league with full auto bids using the MEAC conference shell. The CAA Football League can continue as is with 16 teams or split as well.

An 8 team League core with room to grow to 10 would be as close to a best case scenario as possible with the cards in play