https://x.com/collegead/status/211085500...E0_xipAVQw


Problem--I don't have a college AD "account".

Have no idea what this is about--but they are a very reliable source.

This could get very interesting.

$17

I'll split it with you

The SBC was supposed to be meeting about changing Exit fees real soon.

This is a surprise and could be a factor.

I would imagine they may be going for a "SET" fee like most other conferences.

If anyone does some internet searching and finds some info--Please post here. Thanks in advance.

Folks...

Depending on the amount and when it takes effect---and if it passes and is signed by All Ten schools---


This "could" be a Game Changer.

Who is going to pay a massive amount of money to go to another G6 league If that conference has comparable Revenue and Media exposure? Ex.--SBC? MAC? No.

MW? maybe...

American, PAC? Sure.

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

Not saying schools still won't move---but movement Will Decrease.

Opinion--I could see them passing a set exit fee in the 10-12 Million range.

That could snuff someone out early........ a la JMU to a lesser degree

CUSA better hope it doesn't snuff multiple teams out early if amount is unreasonable

(10-15-2026 10:08 PM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  That could snuff someone out early........ a la JMU to a lesser degree

CUSA better hope it doesn't snuff multiple teams out early if amount is unreasonable

That is along the lines of what I am thinking too. If the number being floated is too high then it might spur teams into action to "get ahead of the wave".

The correct decision on the exit fee will be made. If CUSA leadership are professional at their jobs. I'm pretty sure they've keep a healthy list of replacement candidates available. Strengthening our contacts with potential candidates for the past few years.

Just some wishful thinking out loud.

I have to imagine this is more about making it difficult to leave CUSA for the SunBelt and MAC.

And MAYBE MW too.

But hopefully, wouldn't make it impossible to leave for American or PAC

Should have been done years ago. Raise the exit fee for departures to peer leagues. Leave it as it is for departures to power leagues.

(10-15-2026 10:08 PM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  That could snuff someone out early........ a la JMU to a lesser degree

CUSA better hope it doesn't snuff multiple teams out early if amount is unreasonable

This is by far the biggest danger.

Hopefully the conference is all on the same page when it comes to the exit fee. If we have part of the conference pushing for something ludicrous like $20M and the another part pushing for an equally ludicrous $2M, that division will be what drives schools away.

You don't want to recreate the JMU situation, where a school moves prematurely just to get ahead of a fee they disagree with.

(10-16-2026 09:04 AM)sigke Wrote:  I have to imagine this is more about making it difficult to leave CUSA for the SunBelt and MAC.

And MAYBE MW too.

But hopefully, wouldn't take it impossible to leave for American or PAC

Agree. Also to get rid of the 2nd year lame duck situation.

My prediction 12-14 month notice--Flat, set Exit fee of 9-12M range (plus GOR penalty). Some huge number for less than 12 months.

You can also Bet--that's Not the only thing they discuss! I hope this is a face to face meeting of the University Presidents.

--Who's Really leaving? (if anyone)

--Who should we Add? (if anyone)

(10-16-2026 10:42 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(10-16-2026 09:04 AM)sigke Wrote:  I have to imagine this is more about making it difficult to leave CUSA for the SunBelt and MAC.

And MAYBE MW too.

But hopefully, wouldn't take it impossible to leave for American or PAC

Agree. Also to get rid of the 2nd year lame duck situation.

My prediction 12-14 month notice--Flat, set Exit fee of 10-12M range (plus GOR penalty). Some huge number for less than 12 months.

You can also Bet--that's Not the only thing they discuss! I hope this is a face to face meeting of the University Presidents.

--Who's Really leaving? (if anyone)

--Who should we Add? (if anyone)

You can rest assured that our president has absolutely no idea what's going on.

But he'll have the highest presidential wine & dine bill on the Tennessee tax dollar.

He's important, ya' know. He's written a book about China and he's coming back to teach at MT after a short sabbatical.

(10-16-2026 10:42 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(10-16-2026 09:04 AM)sigke Wrote:  I have to imagine this is more about making it difficult to leave CUSA for the SunBelt and MAC.

And MAYBE MW too.

But hopefully, wouldn't take it impossible to leave for American or PAC

Agree. Also to get rid of the 2nd year lame duck situation.

My prediction 12-14 month notice--Flat, set Exit fee of 9-12M range (plus GOR penalty). Some huge number for less than 12 months.

You can also Bet--that's Not the only thing they discuss! I hope this is a face to face meeting of the University Presidents.

--Who's Really leaving? (if anyone)

--Who should we Add? (if anyone)

Gotta think bigger than $9M. Otherwise, this is a moot point.

Out exit fees equal 2 years of withheld annual distributions. According to the latest tax documents, that's about $8M for most of our members. Jax State earned $4.8M in the latest tax filing, so two years would be $9.6M. Liberty earned even more and would owe over $10M.

I say this to make clear that $9-12M isn't enough protection. We should be looking at $12-$16M. I assume Liberty would still happily pay that if they had an offer on the table, and the rest of the league would feel sufficiently compensated if they did.

The sun belt was out of its mind, thinking they could pass $25M. We don't need to come anywhere near that. I believe the old Mountain West exit fees were $17M, and that left them with enough of a war chest to protect its existence. I'm happy to come in just shy of that.

You guys are talking about raising exit fees for the same reason we are. You know multiple schools have had conversations with other leagues, but they are holding because they know other things to happen for a spot to open up for them.

In our case, the SBC West is essentially telling the East You are either in or you are out. There's no inbetween, no waiting 6 months to make a decision you could make tomorrow.

The catch as has been pointed out that if you don't have a plan in place in case those schools actually leave, then you could have big issues. I know in the SBC's West case, we have a plan. I suspect you have similar.

(10-16-2026 11:55 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  You guys are talking about raising exit fees for the same reason we are. You know multiple schools have had conversations with other leagues, but they are holding because they know other things to happen for a spot to open up for them.

In our case, the SBC West is essentially telling the East You are either in or you are out. There's no inbetween, no waiting 6 months to make a decision you could make tomorrow.

The catch as has been pointed out that if you don't have a plan in place in case those schools actually leave, then you could have big issues. I know in the SBC's West case, we have a plan. I suspect you have similar.

I would hope so, but you never know.

I do think the commish did a good job last time in adding Delaware and Missouri State, so maybe she "is" on top of things. She makes enough money, that is for sure.

(10-16-2026 12:00 PM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  

(10-16-2026 11:55 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  You guys are talking about raising exit fees for the same reason we are. You know multiple schools have had conversations with other leagues, but they are holding because they know other things to happen for a spot to open up for them.

In our case, the SBC West is essentially telling the East You are either in or you are out. There's no inbetween, no waiting 6 months to make a decision you could make tomorrow.

The catch as has been pointed out that if you don't have a plan in place in case those schools actually leave, then you could have big issues. I know in the SBC's West case, we have a plan. I suspect you have similar.

I would hope so, but you never know.

I do think the commish did a good job last time in adding Delaware and Missouri State, so maybe she "is" on top of things. She makes enough money, that is for sure.

Truthfully, I think the plans of both the SBC and CUSA are the same. If the SBC East blows up, Miami leaves the MAC, and Liberty leaves CUSA, there's going to be movement between our leagues. There's zero way to stop it. It just becomes a game of chicken to see who can be stubborn long enough everyone joins them.

(10-16-2026 12:14 PM)chiefsfan Wrote:  

(10-16-2026 12:00 PM)KAjunRaider Wrote:  

(10-16-2026 11:55 AM)chiefsfan Wrote:  You guys are talking about raising exit fees for the same reason we are. You know multiple schools have had conversations with other leagues, but they are holding because they know other things to happen for a spot to open up for them.

In our case, the SBC West is essentially telling the East You are either in or you are out. There's no inbetween, no waiting 6 months to make a decision you could make tomorrow.

The catch as has been pointed out that if you don't have a plan in place in case those schools actually leave, then you could have big issues. I know in the SBC's West case, we have a plan. I suspect you have similar.

I would hope so, but you never know.

I do think the commish did a good job last time in adding Delaware and Missouri State, so maybe she "is" on top of things. She makes enough money, that is for sure.

Truthfully, I think the plans of both the SBC and CUSA are the same. If the SBC East blows up, Miami leaves the MAC, and Liberty leaves CUSA, there's going to be movement between our leagues. There's zero way to stop it. It just becomes a game of chicken to see who can be stubborn long enough everyone joins them.

A fluid situation with lots of moving parts, no doubt! This could be 2021 all over again!

SBC just raised their exit fee.

Quote:@RossDellenger
Ross Dellenger
Yahoo
@RossDellenger
The Sun Belt adopted new exit fees this week, increasing the exit amount from $5 million to a range of $8-18 million that is determined through the notification date of departure, sources tell @YahooSports.

A 27-month or more notice is an $8M fee and it escalates from there.

Ross Dellenger

@RossDellenger
·
57m
The impending increase in Sun Belt exit fees expedited a move from JMU to agree to join the American.

While JMU is planning to begin play in July 2028, there is a belief that a financial settlement with the Sun Belt can be struck for the Dukes to start play in JULY 2027.

(10-16-2026 02:04 PM)topper1296 Wrote:  SBC just raised their exit fee.

Quote:@RossDellenger
Ross Dellenger
Yahoo
@RossDellenger
The Sun Belt adopted new exit fees this week, increasing the exit amount from $5 million to a range of $8-18 million that is determined through the notification date of departure, sources tell @YahooSports.

A 27-month or more notice is an $8M fee and it escalates from there.

The NEW CUSA Exit by-laws could wind up being similar to those^

(Very few schools will give that much (27 months) notice.

BIG Question is when would they take effect?

Everyone here may Assume immediately--but that is not necessarily the case--Story does not say.