(10-18-2026 08:29 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  I'll have to disagree.

The move by JMU was very good.

Now the money? Sounds like too much IMO--But guess what? Zero of those dollars came from JMU. They are all corporate monies which will be tied to sponsorship of the American.

JMU will get between 7-12 Million in conference revenue vs about 2.4? M in the SBC.

Add to that a conference which is rated higher in FB and BB--And the addition of FIVE regional opponents...again All at no cost to the UNIVERSITY?

Down the road--If they lose some "names" they'll re-load with the Very Best of the SBC, MAC, or CUSA.

Is it perfect? NO.

Step-up from the SBC at no cost? Yes!

Also, if you are an ambitious program that has "power" goals long-term (to be the next UCF or whatever), then you have to move up the ladder when you can. It will be easier for them to join a depleted ACC from the American than from the SBC, if the conference pecking order stays the same and in the NIL age some programs and leagues are simply going to outspend the competition.

Any team in G6 should take an American offer. UCONN should have if offered in all sports. Big East is killing their football program.

You are few million off.

JMU received 4.13 million from the Sunbelt in 2025

North Texas received 5.95 million from the AAC in 2025

It will only take JMU 16 years to recoup their 24 million dollar investment

People forget that the “CUSA 6” to a reduce conference share than the other AAC members, that was the only way Memphis and South Florida would agree, sure as long as we get 3x what FAU is getting.

As far as pecking order at some point it will be cut off from the P4, the PAC is already cut off then once the ACC is raided with the best from the PAC getting pick off the Separation will be final and JMU will be stuck traveling to Denton on a Wednesday night. Sounds like fun!

(10-18-2026 09:38 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  Any team in G6 should take an American offer. UCONN should have if offered in all sports. Big East is killing their football program.

UConn made to the National Championship last year in Basketball, that is what they care about. The AAC was killing their basketball!
Sometimes you are way off my man!

https://knightnewhousedata.org/fbs/sun-b...university

4.13 million from Conference/NCAA Distributions, Media Rights, and Post-Season Footbal

What you posted “cash grant” include the CFP revenue sharing or NCAA distributions? Probably not

(10-18-2026 11:09 PM)JackedUp Wrote:  You are few million off.

JMU received 4.13 million from the Sunbelt in 2025

Disagree. IRS tax form 990 shows you are mistaken.


https://projects.propublica.org/nonprofi...01205/full

IRS Form 990 FY 2025

Scroll down to the bottom, then scroll back up to Part II where all Fourteen members are listed along with the distribution they received.

Distribution to Members-James Madison University>>$1,977,967

$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

Verified by The Athletic (and many other publications)

"...Payout shares in the American are not expected to be diluted by JMU’s entrance, but JMU will receive a share more in line with newer members of the conference, which was around $7 million, according to the league’s 2024-25 tax return. That can increase based on success in the league. The annual Sun Belt payout, where JMU is leaving, is around $2 million, according to recent tax filings."

https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/7683964...alignment/

JackedUp WROTE>>


https://knightnewhousedata.org/fbs/sun-b...university

4.13 million from Conference/NCAA Distributions, Media Rights, and Post-Season Football

What you posted “cash grant” include the CFP revenue sharing or NCAA distributions? Probably not.

(10-19-2026 12:39 AM)JackedUp Wrote:  https://knightnewhousedata.org/fbs/sun-b...university

4.13 million from Conference/NCAA Distributions, Media Rights, and Post-Season Footbal

What you posted “cash grant” include the CFP revenue sharing or NCAA distributions? Probably not

************************************************

Very good point. But The Athletic/NY times article above does say 2 million--that's partly what threw me off. The accounting methods and the Fact that the SBC does pay some expenses for schools--taking it out of their portion Before giving out distributions could account for some of the difference. It "could" also be that some NCAA distributions were paid Directly to the school and not included on that tax line as part of the "SBC" distribution. Also Every conference does things differently--even the "way" they report information on their Form 990's. I Was WRONG on some of these particulars. You made some very fair arguments!

But this does not change:

---JMU can earn up to 12M in Revenue in incentives depending on their performance (7M base see link above)

---The School JMU paid ZERO to get into the American--Corporate Dollars paid the entire 23M

---JMU steps up into a higher rated FB and BB league than the SBC

---JMU gains Five regional schools to play

---The American's Media Deal is Much higher than the SBC

---The American receives Better TV slots/networks than the SBC

Down the road--If they lose some "names" they'll re-load with the Very Best of the SBC, MAC, or CUSA.

Is it perfect? NO.

Step-up from the SBC at no cost? Yes!

8,4 9,1

JMUs travel cost may go down. Currently spending 9.1 million and the average American team is 8.4 million. Savings close to 700K would put the total to 2.5 using the NT numbers. Other than the Texas schools the new ones are getting around 6.5 million which would add another 600K if JMU falls into their category. If these hold true the years should come down about a third.

(10-18-2026 11:12 PM)JackedUp Wrote:  

(10-18-2026 09:38 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  Any team in G6 should take an American offer. UCONN should have if offered in all sports. Big East is killing their football program.

UConn made to the National Championship last year in Basketball, that is what they care about. The AAC was killing their basketball!
Sometimes you are way off my man!

Or UCONN might be a member of the ACC or B12 if the moved had of been made. Who cares about a basketball championship? This game is a long game not a short one or two season deal. Plus UCONN can win a championship as easily from the American as the Big East.

(10-18-2026 09:38 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  Any team in G6 should take an American offer. UCONN should have if offered in all sports. Big East is killing their football program.

LOL - no way. UCONN makes more money in the Big East than they would in the American.

As an independent, they have been able to schedule more P4 games than they would in the American.

This year, they schedule 3 P4, 1 American, 3 SunBelt, 2 Mountain West, 2 MAC, 1 FCS
Next year they currently have scheduled: 4 P4, 2 American, 3 CUSA, 1 MAC + 2 open games
2028, they currently have scheduled: 5 P4, 3 American, 1 MAC, 1 Sunbelt + 2 open
2029, they currently have scheduled: 4 P4, 2 MAC, 1 Mountain West, 1 Sunbelt + 4 open.

So being in the Big East has NOT hurt their football. And overall, being in the Big East has been better for them.

STORY---

The upfront cost of changing conferences continues to climb, with James Madison set to pay a record — for now — $23 million entrance fee to join the American Conference in addition to a $5 million exit fee to leave the Sun Belt.

The Dukes, however, found an Unusual way to ease the financial burden.

JMU arranged for new corporate sponsorship agreements with the American to cover its entrance fee, allowing the school to enter its new league on or before July 1, 2028, as a full member receiving a conference revenue share equal to several current members.

********************************************

[SBC related]

"Sources indicated that JMU WILL negotiate with the Sun Belt to leave the conference by the summer of 2027, but that could raise the cost of the exit fee. The Dukes are open to negotiating a higher exit fee when tensions following JMU's announcement die down, but sources said JMU is not interested in paying more than $10 million to leave the Sun Belt."

"Sun Belt presidents voted Thursday night to raise the exit fee to between $8 million and $18 million depending on the notice given. Those increases will NOT apply to JMU, which had already given notice to the league."

***************************************************

[MIAMI related]

Along with JMU, Miami (Ohio) was linked to the American in reporting from On3.com only weeks before the Dukes' move became official.

One of the American's newest corporate partners, however, is Riley Decker Workforce Solutions, which announced an agreement with the conference in August.

Riley Decker CEO Kyle Decker is a former MIAMI (OH) quarterback who also founded Red Brick Legacy, an NIL collective associated with the school.

****************************************


[Back to the 23M in Corporate sponsors from JMU]

The corporate sponsorships could provide another longer-term benefit.

Rather than simply collecting an entrance fee from JMU, the American gains relationships with companies that could continue doing business with the conference after the Dukes' initial $23 million obligation has been fulfilled.

JMU president Jim Schmidt believes that potential was an important part of making the arrangement attractive to both sides.

“I think that says a lot about the conference, that they realize they can develop long term relationships with the corporate partners we brought to the table,” Schmidt said. “That goes way beyond the potential of covering our fees to join the conference.”

https://www.dnronline.com/sports/level/c...93239.html

(10-20-2026 10:28 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  STORY---

The upfront cost of changing conferences continues to climb, with James Madison set to pay a record — for now — $23 million entrance fee to join the American Conference in addition to a $5 million exit fee to leave the Sun Belt.

The Dukes, however, found an Unusual way to ease the financial burden.

JMU arranged for new corporate sponsorship agreements with the American to cover its entrance fee, allowing the school to enter its new league on or before July 1, 2028, as a full member receiving a conference revenue share equal to several current members.

********************************************

[SBC related]

"Sources indicated that JMU WILL negotiate with the Sun Belt to leave the conference by the summer of 2027, but that could raise the cost of the exit fee. The Dukes are open to negotiating a higher exit fee when tensions following JMU's announcement die down, but sources said JMU is not interested in paying more than $10 million to leave the Sun Belt."

"Sun Belt presidents voted Thursday night to raise the exit fee to between $8 million and $18 million depending on the notice given. Those increases will NOT apply to JMU, which had already given notice to the league."

***************************************************

[MIAMI related]

Along with JMU, Miami (Ohio) was linked to the American in reporting from On3.com only weeks before the Dukes' move became official.

One of the American's newest corporate partners, however, is Riley Decker Workforce Solutions, which announced an agreement with the conference in August.

Riley Decker CEO Kyle Decker is a former MIAMI (OH) quarterback who also founded Red Brick Legacy, an NIL collective associated with the school.

****************************************


[Back to the 23M in Corporate sponsors from JMU]

The corporate sponsorships could provide another longer-term benefit.

Rather than simply collecting an entrance fee from JMU, the American gains relationships with companies that could continue doing business with the conference after the Dukes' initial $23 million obligation has been fulfilled.

JMU president Jim Schmidt believes that potential was an important part of making the arrangement attractive to both sides.

“I think that says a lot about the conference, that they realize they can develop long term relationships with the corporate partners we brought to the table,” Schmidt said. “That goes way beyond the potential of covering our fees to join the conference.”

https://www.dnronline.com/sports/level/c...93239.html

Great "outside the box" thinking by JMU.

(10-19-2026 06:56 AM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  

(10-18-2026 11:12 PM)JackedUp Wrote:  

(10-18-2026 09:38 PM)Gemofthehills Wrote:  Any team in G6 should take an American offer. UCONN should have if offered in all sports. Big East is killing their football program.

UConn made to the National Championship last year in Basketball, that is what they care about. The AAC was killing their basketball!
Sometimes you are way off my man!

Or UCONN might be a member of the ACC or B12 if the moved had of been made. Who cares about a basketball championship? This game is a long game not a short one or two season deal. Plus UCONN can win a championship as easily from the American as the Big East.

No, being in the American was hurting UCONN's basketball recruiting. Basketball recruits in the Northeast were staying with the P5 + Big East. The American was seen as a mid-major in basketball.

UCONN receives a TON of donations for and/or based on basketball performance for both Men & Women's teams.

Hurting basketball actually hurt both their football team & their entire athletic department.

Moving independent in football actually HELPED their football program, as they were able to start scheduling more P4 teams each season, and schedule teams the fans actually cared about watching.

Being a football independent usually isn't a great move, but for UCONN, it turned out to be pretty good. UCONN has been able to leverage their basketball identity to schedule games against many ACC and B1G teams, plus Tennessee and Vanderbilt.

This is why I don't believe rumors of them joining the American as football only, unless they are about to lose all of their future P4 games.

It’s not free money. Every small school has limited number of big corporate and individual donors.

You pull $24 million from a sponsor that well is dry when you want to build or invest in something else.

That sponsor might have foot the bill to play Charlotte or North Texas but will they help pay for the next project

You totally miss the basic understanding of big donor support. Money is finite, especially for small FBS schools

(10-21-2026 04:53 PM)JackedUp Wrote:  It’s not free money. Every small school has limited number of big corporate and individual donors.

You pull $24 million from a sponsor that well is dry when you want to build or invest in something else.

That sponsor might have foot the bill to play Charlotte or North Texas but will they help pay for the next project

You totally miss the basic understanding of big donor support. Money is finite, especially for small FBS schools

Exactly!

For example: Some people in Delaware often wonder why the University of Delaware hasn't signed Chase, Barclays, Capital One or Bank of America for stadium naming rights or Jersey patch.

However, corporate dollars are usually broken into two buckets:

Marketing dollars
R/D & Philanthropy dollars

Money donated for an athletic department is marketing. Even if it's quiet marketing, can provide the company with access to club seats, etc for networking.

R/D & Philanthropy dollars are what's being spent on academic projects.

While the corporations have two different budgets to milk, universities often still have to be careful. Delaware, for example, has their new STAR Campus (the old Chrysler plant) right across the street from the football stadium. On this campus, companies are building research buildings, labs, etc. and some of them get to put their corporate logo on the top of the building. For example, both Chemours and Bloom Energy have their own buildings on this campus, with their logos on the building. If those two companies had both stadium naming rights & jersey patches, would they still have felt the need to build building on campus with their logos on them? Or would they maybe have moved to a different university for those labs? Maybe they would have still moved forward with those plans, but also maybe they would have picked a different university to spread their name brand elsewhere?

We don't know and universities don't know. So, they are often going to be conservative.

With the public schools, you also have state & local politics to consider.

Chase already has naming rights for the Chase Fieldhouse (home to the Delaware Blue Coats NBA G League team) & the Chase Center (a civic center) in Wilmington, DE. If UD got Chase to purchase the naming rights at the football stadium, might that interfere with potentially asking Chase to help fund renovations at either of Wilmington's two facilities?

These are lots of things for Universities to consider when dealing with corporate partners.


Then with rich individuals, every dollar spent on athletics is a dollar not spent on a new dorm or academic building/program. So you only want to "go to the well" so many times. It's one thing if they are donating on their own, but universities are going to be conservative whenever it comes to directly asking donors for money.

(10-22-2026 11:11 AM)sigke Wrote:  

(10-21-2026 04:53 PM)JackedUp Wrote:  It’s not free money. Every small school has limited number of big corporate and individual donors.

You pull $24 million from a sponsor that well is dry when you want to build or invest in something else.

That sponsor might have foot the bill to play Charlotte or North Texas but will they help pay for the next project

You totally miss the basic understanding of big donor support. Money is finite, especially for small FBS schools

Exactly!

For example: Some people in Delaware often wonder why the University of Delaware hasn't signed Chase, Barclays, Capital One or Bank of America for stadium naming rights or Jersey patch.

However, corporate dollars are usually broken into two buckets:

Marketing dollars
R/D & Philanthropy dollars

Money donated for an athletic department is marketing. Even if it's quiet marketing, can provide the company with access to club seats, etc for networking.

R/D & Philanthropy dollars are what's being spent on academic projects.

While the corporations have two different budgets to milk, universities often still have to be careful. Delaware, for example, has their new STAR Campus (the old Chrysler plant) right across the street from the football stadium. On this campus, companies are building research buildings, labs, etc. and some of them get to put their corporate logo on the top of the building. For example, both Chemours and Bloom Energy have their own buildings on this campus, with their logos on the building. If those two companies had both stadium naming rights & jersey patches, would they still have felt the need to build building on campus with their logos on them? Or would they maybe have moved to a different university for those labs? Maybe they would have still moved forward with those plans, but also maybe they would have picked a different university to spread their name brand elsewhere?

We don't know and universities don't know. So, they are often going to be conservative.

With the public schools, you also have state & local politics to consider.

Chase already has naming rights for the Chase Fieldhouse (home to the Delaware Blue Coats NBA G League team) & the Chase Center (a civic center) in Wilmington, DE. If UD got chase to purchase the naming rights at the football stadium, might that interfere with potentially asking Chase to help fund renovations at either of Wilmington's two facilities?

These are lots of things for Universities to consider when dealing with corporate partners.


Then with rich individuals, every dollar spent of athletics is a dollar not spent on a new dorm or academic building/program. So you only want to "go to the well" so many times. It's one thing if they are donating on their own, but universities are going to be conservative whenever it comes to directly asking donors for money.

Do the Delle Donne's give to Delaware ? I've met the dad -- great dude. His son played QB for us back in the day. We were hoping to get his sister too, of course.

(10-22-2026 01:14 PM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  Do the Delle Donne's give to Delaware ? I've met the dad -- great dude. His son played QB for us back in the day. We were hoping to get his sister too, of course.

I know their business contributes to the University. But I don't know if they contribute to the athletics or not.

On a personal level, I'm not sure if they donate or not. I know the Elena Delle Donne Charitable Foundation donates money to Lyme Disease research, special needs programing, and animal welfare; not university gifts.

I know Elena does attend University events from time to time and allows the University to "market her" I'm not aware of any large funds she or her family have donated outside their business (which has made gifts over $50,000).

The exact amount is unknown, but the Delle Donne & Associates business is part of the $50,000 to $999,999 lifetime contribution tier for the most current Delaware First capital campaign.

The Delle Donne's also donate to the local Catholic schools they attended.