(10-15-2026 08:31 AM)Bronco14 Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 06:56 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  The expectation is that Miami is leaving the MAC for the American with an announcement likely within the next two months.

Among the most likely candidates to replace JMU in the SBC are Delaware, MTSU and WKU. Delaware and WKU are among schools to keep an eye on for MAC expansion as well.

Lose Miami & pick up Delaware & Western Kentucky. Who cares losing Miami. Miami can't even win the MAC. & it' expands the MAC footprint. MAC wins

Miami won the MAC in football 3 years ago and has been in the MACC the past three years, and went undefeated in regular season in basketball last year.

It can be frustrating watching the conference fall apart and see members scrambling for lifeboats, but let's not get carried away. Miami is a top-notch program and losing them is a punch.

Not sure about Delaware, but I think WKU's interest-window in joining the MAC has closed.

Good point I would love to be a fly in the MAC offices and hear the rumblings!

(10-15-2026 08:07 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  I have to believe the talks with espn are not going well and hence teams are looking to get out of the MAC as soon as possible. This just makes no sense otherwise

Any MAC team would join the AAC. I think the average TV payout for an AAC school is around $7 million/yr. Even if the MAC got something close to the SB $2 million that's a significant jump.

Now if teams leave the MAC for the SunBelt that would be more of a black eye to the conference. Any additional TV money a team in the SB would get compared to the MAC would likely be mostly offset by higher traveling costs. A team making that move is probably doing it primarily because they want a step up in competition for football. Perhaps thinking it's a pathway to a future AAC bid. It's less of a money issue.

If Miami leaves you can kiss Ohio (Sunbelt) and Toledo (either Sunbelt or MWC) goodbye. At that point you may see WMU, BG, UMASS, Buffalo reach out to Sunbelt, MW, AAC (Buffalo, Umass), or even CUSA.

This is laughable! You all are talking like the world is coming to an end. The AAC has just told Miami no. And even if the AAC changed their mind, one loss out of 12 is no big deal.

(10-15-2026 09:34 AM)AllBronco Wrote:  This is laughable! You all are talking like the world is coming to an end. The AAC has just told Miami no. And even if the AAC changed their mind, one loss out of 12 is no big deal.

They also told JMU no, you really think they'll pass up 30-40 million to add Miami? Ohio is now a top candidate to replace JMU. You think Toledo will sit in the MAC without those 2? We also just lost NIU. MAC future is not looking good.

(10-15-2026 09:44 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 09:34 AM)AllBronco Wrote:  This is laughable! You all are talking like the world is coming to an end. The AAC has just told Miami no. And even if the AAC changed their mind, one loss out of 12 is no big deal.

They also told JMU no, you really think they'll pass up 30-40 million to add Miami? Ohio is now a top candidate to replace JMU. You think Toledo will sit in the MAC without those 2? We also just lost NIU. MAC future is not looking good.

A 1 time payment of $30-$40 million is very short sighted. The AAC pays $7 million per school in just TV money alone. That doesn't include NCAA tournament credits and other conference revenue.

Adding Miami means they will have to slice their pie into an additional piece. There is a reason they accepted JMU, who offered less money. They perceive JMU as adding more value to the conference then what it takes. Making the pie larger to more than compensate for another piece being taken. The decision to add Miami will largely come down to if the AAC views Miami the same. If they don't that ~$30 million is just an advance on future money they will lose by each school taking a reduction of future earnings since they have an extra mouth to feed.

(10-15-2026 08:34 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Miami is a top-notch program and losing them is a punch.

Indeed.

(10-15-2026 08:34 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Not sure about Delaware, but I think WKU's interest-window in joining the MAC has closed.

If Middle Tennessee ends up in the Sun Belt, then the MAC could well be a logical home for Western Kentucky, even without Miami.

(10-15-2026 09:16 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  If Miami leaves you can kiss Ohio (Sunbelt) and Toledo (either Sunbelt or MWC) goodbye. At that point you may see WMU, BG, UMASS, Buffalo reach out to Sunbelt, MW, AAC (Buffalo, Umass), or even CUSA.

This seems like catastrophizing to me.

First: I don't necessarily think Ohio and Toledo would go anywhere. The Sun Belt isn't really an upgrade. While they do play more Saturday football and the level of football competition is slightly better, the basketball is a bit worse, their television contract pays less, and membership would mean more travel costs. As for the Mountain West: Toledo seems to have been cool to that idea, which would also mean demoting other sports to the Horizon or something like that.

Also, reading the tea leaves: It seems as if the Sun Belt might be more interested in adding a Conference USA team.

But even if we were to assume the loss of two more members: I don't think that changes anything for the rest of us. Bowling Green can bus to nearly all of the MAC, so why would we have any interest in flying teams around the Sun Belt? Aside from Marshall, I don't think any school in that league would move the needle on home football attendance for us.

(10-15-2026 09:56 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 08:34 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Miami is a top-notch program and losing them is a punch.

Indeed.

(10-15-2026 08:34 AM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  Not sure about Delaware, but I think WKU's interest-window in joining the MAC has closed.

If Middle Tennessee ends up in the Sun Belt, then the MAC could well be a logical home for Western Kentucky, even without Miami.

(10-15-2026 09:16 AM)GRBRONCO Wrote:  If Miami leaves you can kiss Ohio (Sunbelt) and Toledo (either Sunbelt or MWC) goodbye. At that point you may see WMU, BG, UMASS, Buffalo reach out to Sunbelt, MW, AAC (Buffalo, Umass), or even CUSA.

This seems like catastrophizing to me.

First: I don't necessarily think Ohio and Toledo would go anywhere. The Sun Belt isn't really an upgrade. While they do play more Saturday football and the level of football competition is slightly better, the basketball is a bit worse, their television contract pays less, and membership would mean more travel costs. As for the Mountain West: Toledo seems to have been cool to that idea, which would also mean demoting other sports to the Horizon or something like that.

Also, reading the tea leaves: It seems as if the Sun Belt might be more interested in adding a Conference USA team.

But even if we were to assume the loss of two more members: I don't think that changes anything for the rest of us. Bowling Green can bus to nearly all of the MAC, so why would we have any interest in flying teams around the Sun Belt? Aside from Marshall, I don't think any school in that league would move the needle on home football attendance for us.

Who would want to join this southern conference????

https://www.espn.com/college-football/st..._/group/12

(10-13-2026 06:17 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 05:33 PM)AllBronco Wrote:  

(10-13-2026 04:06 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  First of all, IMO--I just don't see Miami going to the SBC.

The SBC (it will leak out--but not be official) will make their choice in the next couple of months or less.

Will OHIO take a Sun Belt invitation??

Yes or No.

No. They will take WKU because they were second place to their last add.

This could be right. Another argument in favor of Western Kentucky (or, I suppose, Middle Tennessee) is that it might please ESPN, which currently does not own the rights to Conference USA schools but does own the rights to Sun Belt and MAC schools.

Counterpoint: The decision to be made a year ago was how to replace Louisiana Tech. They needed a school for the Sun Belt's Western division. Perhaps the argument for Western Kentucky is not as strong among cost-conscious Eastern members.

Also, we can't forget that report out of Harrisonburg, Virginia, a year ago -- said to be "inaccurate" by Ohio University -- that asserted that Ohio had had preliminary discussions with the Sun Belt for the opening eventually filled by Louisiana Tech.

I don't see the logic of moving to the Sun Belt for the reasons we've discusssed. But it is reasonable to infer that Ohio has at least thought about it.

Most likely not Middle Tennessee. Our lame-duck prez retires on December 10th, with a new prez supposedly not here until January. Plus, all of the old timers are still here that made the decision to leave the SBC (they won't "regress" back to the Belt, and the Belt will hold the 2013 move to CUSA against MT).

Plus, our current big-ego prez has practically ruined our football program by hiring a guy based upon a phone call. No one was for the hire, except for the president.

Hopefully we get a pro-athletics new prez that does not micro-manage.

(10-14-2026 07:10 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Sad, but good for them.

Regarding Delaware and the Sun Belt. If the Sun Belt goes through with a vote for a 25M exit fee and it passes, can see Delaware sitting tight or be in play for the MAC. Believe they eyes on the American with Temple right there and Navy as well for now.

Heck, who will go to the Belt for $25 million exit fee stipulation, if that's what it ends up being ?

Sun Belt would have to sweeten the pot -- no entry fee, etc

Not sure if they even charged an entry fee to ODU, Marshall, and Southern Miss

(10-15-2026 10:37 AM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  

(10-14-2026 07:10 PM)Steve1981 Wrote:  Sad, but good for them.

Regarding Delaware and the Sun Belt. If the Sun Belt goes through with a vote for a 25M exit fee and it passes, can see Delaware sitting tight or be in play for the MAC. Believe they eyes on the American with Temple right there and Navy as well for now.

Heck, who will go to the Belt for $25 million exit fee stipulation, if that's what it ends up being ?

This is a great point.

Look what happened to NIU when their players got wind of moving to MWC. Just look at their win/loss record now. It tanked about the time the news got out, and they don't seem to be able to win a game since.

I'm waiting on the next shoe to drop.

Will Miami get an American invite?

Ohio or who to the Belt?

Till we know those answers...

But I will say this there Is a lot of "smoke" out there.

There are some "in the know" who really think Miami to the American will happen.

Just too many moving pieces right now to even try to make any conclusion.

More from Brett McMurphy:

https://www.on3.com/news/conference-real...re-coming/

On3 articles are usually behind a paywall but this one isn't (at least for now).

(10-15-2026 12:18 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  There are some "in the know" who really think Miami to the American will happen.

If BeatWestern says it will happen -- and he does! -- I believe him.

I tend to think Ohio will stay put for the reasons we've discussed.

Do you think Western Kentucky has a shot at the Sun Belt opening? And, if that opening goes to Middle Tennessee, would that heighten Western Kentucky's interest in the MAC?

(10-15-2026 12:52 PM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 12:18 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  There are some "in the know" who really think Miami to the American will happen.

If BeatWestern says it will happen -- and he does! -- I believe him.

I tend to think Ohio will stay put for the reasons we've discussed.

Do you think Western Kentucky has a shot at the Sun Belt opening? And, if that opening goes to Middle Tennessee, would that heighten Western Kentucky's interest in the MAC?

I wouldn't see why WKU would be willing to pay $5 million exit fee to SB plus pay entrance fee to the MAC. It's a lateral move.

(10-15-2026 12:34 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  More from Brett McMurphy:

https://www.on3.com/news/conference-real...re-coming/

On3 articles are usually behind a paywall but this one isn't (at least for now).

Charlotte and ECU ? First time I've seen those mentioned.

Why would they move ?

(10-15-2026 01:37 PM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 12:34 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  More from Brett McMurphy:

https://www.on3.com/news/conference-real...re-coming/

On3 articles are usually behind a paywall but this one isn't (at least for now).

Charlotte and ECU ? First time I've seen those mentioned.

Why would they move ?

I didn't understand that either.

(10-15-2026 01:48 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 01:37 PM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  

(10-15-2026 12:34 PM)Motown Bronco Wrote:  More from Brett McMurphy:

https://www.on3.com/news/conference-real...re-coming/

On3 articles are usually behind a paywall but this one isn't (at least for now).

Charlotte and ECU ? First time I've seen those mentioned.

Why would they move ?

I didn't understand that either.

especially with JMU coming in (driveable to both)