Regardless of entrance and exit fees, during the next round of media negotiations, both CUSA and the Sun Belt will likely fall near each other. It's HIGHLY unlikely either conference will surge millions of dollars past the other. (At least, not in the long term. CUSA may temporarily pass the SBC since our negotiations are coming up within 1-2 years, while the SBC's will follow a couple of years after that.)

Assuming the Belt opts to move back to 14 members (and doesn't lose anyone else) and CUSA remains at 10, and for the sake of clarity, assuming all conference media revenue is evenly distributed among the member schools, this means CUSA's per-school distributions will be 40% higher than the Sun Belt's.

This means for every $1M in media deal revenue, CUSA schools would each receive $100K, while Sun Belt schools would only receive $71,429.

Put another way, the Sun Belt's next deal would have to come in at 140% the size of CUSA's, just to break even on a per-school basis.

This is HIGHLY unlikely, given the similarities between the member schools relative to other FBS conferences in areas that actually matter to network executives (market size and ratings).

In other words, it's not that CUSA's next media deal is going to be so awesome it'll put the Belt to shame.

It's simply that the Sun Belt won't have enough "ammo" for its next deal to come in 140% higher than CUSA's.

If CUSA increases its membership to 12, this disparity would be reduced. But we'd have to move to 14 for it to go away entirely, and that isn't even on the table at the moment.

Any moves between the conferences in either direction would have to be due to more than just media money. But there aren't any more obvious geographical outliers or historical rival situations like La Tech, and neither conference is well ahead of the other when it comes to postseason access. Both are behind the PAC and American for CFP consideration, and generally speaking, we're both single-bid conferences for March Madness.

Given the status quo, there just isn't a compelling reason for any school to move between the SBC and CUSA.

*IF* 16 happened and 2 or 3 came from CUSA that means there is something all of those people believe is going to happen financially to make it worth it I would guess or they are really afraid someone else could take that spot.

I still believe that if NMSU could get a MWC invite then CUSA-SBC coming together and working together sensibly would be more likely. It's not that I don't like NMSU it's just they are so isolated without UTEP as a partner. Maybe they can work together on some form of scheduling thing without having to move leagues or something? At this point there isn't any reason our leagues should overlap so much with so many programs of similar profile except pride.

Maybe NMSU as a FB only could work better then the Western league could add a non-FB program to partner with them but that can get complicated. Same could be said of FIU and the Eastern league. FIU joins the ASUN for non-FB and remains as FBS football program. That would even help the ASUN out big time.

(10-27-2026 12:19 PM)sigke Wrote:  I'm NOT saying we need to attack the MAC if Miami, Toledo, & Ohio U all leave.

HOWEVER, if we did, UMass with Buffalo or WMU (football only) might not be a bad idea.

With the move to the MAC and the hire of their current head coach, UMass is finally making a commitment to football. Last season, the head coach was focused on rebuilding the strength & conditioning, and working with the university on identifying facility upgrades before he started to focus on the roster.

Whether they finally become relevant is yet to be seen, but they are only 2 wins away from making their first bowl game. They are currently 4-4, matching the most wins they have ever had at the FBS level.

UMass is actually favored in two of their upcoming games (vs. Ball State & Akron), while the Bowling Green game is a toss up. So they may have their best season ever.

Again, does that mean sustained success? No, but if they can turn it around, they have a chance to become the next UConn if they can bring both basketball & football back level of the 1990s.

UMass alumni will pour money into that program if they can prove they can win.

Just something to think about. Again, I'm NOT saying it is something we must do. But it is something that conference leadership should research and consider.

The Riccios have an impactful history of giving to the University, having donated $50 million to the College of Engineering to support immediate and long-term initiatives to fuel innovative research, strengthen academic excellence, and expand access and opportunity for engineering students. They have previously made a $15 million gift to UMass Chan Medical School to further expedite and support advances in neuroscience research.

Well, UMass will keep improving and just got a bump in NIL money, via UScript Fund.

Quote:AMHERST, Mass. – Daniel J. Riccio Jr. '86, '24MS and his wife, Diane M. (Casey) Riccio, Ph.D., have committed $3 million to the Script U Scholarship Society to support the University of Massachusetts Football program.

"Diane and I are pleased to support UMass Football at a pivotal time for the program and UMass," said Dan Riccio. "We believe that a strong football program and athletics department can enhance the brand of the flagship campus – one of the finest public research universities in the country. Our commitment is an investment in the strategy that Ryan Bamford and Joe Harasymiak have established to change the culture and trajectory of Massachusetts football. We are investing now, and encouraging others to do the same, so that we may realize our full potential. The momentum and foundation for success taking hold this season is just the beginning."

https://umassathletics.com/news/2026/10/...s-football

UMASS needs three more wins to reach a bowl. They played two FCS teams and can only count one towards their total for bowl eligibility.

(10-30-2026 02:17 PM)AssKickingChicken Wrote:  UMASS needs three more wins to reach a bowl. They played two FCS teams and can only count one towards their total for bowl eligibility.

yes, you are correct. I forgot they played two FCS schools. My bad

IMO Real news about realignment will go quiet for about five weeks.

Schools don't want to distract from football season, etc..

The reason JMU made their move Mid Season was to get a head start on negotiations with the SBC. Not much of a head start--but better than waiting till mid December.

The American Conference won't want to announce anything. They've got their Championship game, possible CFP participant, and could even lose their commish to the Big 12.

Then you've got the Holiday "lull". Mid December into early January.

Miami to the American might be announced as late as mid January or February.

Rumors--I'm sure they'll continue non-stop.

(10-30-2026 04:01 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  IMO Real news about realignment will go quiet for about five weeks.

Schools don't want to distract from football season, etc..

The reason JMU made their move Mid Season was to get a head start on negotiations with the SBC. Not much of a head start--but better than waiting till mid December.

The American Conference won't want to announce anything. They've got their Championship game, possible CFP participant, and could even lose their commish to the Big 12.

Then you've got the Holiday "lull". Mid December into early January.

Miami to the American might be announced as late as mid January or February.

Rumors--I'm sure they'll continue non-stop.

The reason JMU made the move when we did was to avoid the SBC exit fee increase that was coming four days later. Moving when we did saved around $8M. That's the main reason for the oddly timed move.

(10-30-2026 05:20 AM)Baldspot Wrote:  This after just paying $5 million to join FBS plus whatever CUSA entrance fee was two years ago.

Well stated regarding the current campus situation in Newark; however, I want to clarify one point. The total amount for UD to move from the CAA to CUSA was $6 million, the entirety of which was paid for by more than 160 donors. Those fees did not come from the school's coffers.

Financial challenges or not, I haven't read any evidence that suggests the Delaware is considering Sun Belt membership.