I think MT & WKU would be a natural add if CUSA decides to go to 16. It would add 2 states to the CUSA map and would bridge the gap between the east and west schools.

(05-04-2012 11:05 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  A Conference USA invite is no longer "a call up." the Sun Belt is ATLEAST on par with them across the board. I admit ECU and Southern Miss are awesome, but the rest of their league is nothing special. Our footprint is tight and our roster has matured to the point we are ready. I pitty FIU, they made a mistake. I understand UNT, but that's their business and I could care less about losing them now that we have Texas State...i'm happy with that trade.

I'm sorry, but I doubt that you know the facts to state FIU made a mistake. I know for a fact very competent people did their due dilligence in terms of dollars and cents using historical data and projections to compare both, and it wasn't that close between the two conferences. Of course, it remains to be seen, but I don't see how anyone can say getting $2-3 million more a year is a mistake, when travel differences are marginal if at all. So don't pity us, please.

Yall DO realize that Conference USA isn't going to hang on to all their bowls and the TV contract that has held them above us now, right?

(05-04-2012 11:10 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Fine MG61, I'm happy you are happy with yalls move. I've stated several times the UNT move made sense. FIU is the school who made the mistake. If you're here trying to make me look bad or feel sorry about something, you're wasting your time. Go back to your new Conference board and enjoy the new community you seem to be stoked to be a part of. Yall have been replaced, we nabbed Texas State and are giddy to have 'em.

All smack aside though, I do respect you. I always enjoyed your posts in the General Discussion area. Got me rollin' most every time.

Thanks, I will enjoy our "new community" and since we were long time members, I will keep up with the Belt. I wouldn't think of trying to make you feel sorry or to look bad. I've always thought that folks handled stuff like that themselves. Keep the faith and have a nice day ya'll

(05-04-2012 11:13 PM)MG61 Wrote:  Thanks, I will enjoy our "new community" and since we were long time members, I will keep up with the Belt. I wouldn't think of trying to make you feel sorry or to look bad. I've always thought that folks handled stuff like that themselves.

You are one funny man MG61. I'm not the least bit sorry if I take pride in being a member of the Sun Belt Conference. I understand some folks find that odd, but for me, building the brand and the blood, sweat, and tears that we have all put in to this is something to be proud of. I would be ashamed if my Trojans took the "easy" way out and jumped ship for a Conference they perceived to be better...despite the facts.

For UNT it made sense because it gave 'em closer programs to associate with. But for the rest of our Conference, it is simply folks seeing something shiny and jumping on it because it sparkles.

(05-04-2012 11:13 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Yall DO realize that Conference USA isn't going to hang on to all their bowls and the TV contract that has held them above us now, right?

Hope you're right. That's about the only thing that separates us at this point.

CUSA has two programs ahead of the game - the rest are no better than Sunbelt level (maybe Tulsa).

Another reason to bring in App/GaSouthern, they'll have a 5 year head start on some of the CUSA start ups. By the time UNCC/ODU get up to speed, App/GaSouth will be kicking arse and taking names.

Bottom line is the average Sun Belt fan will not get any less excited over TxSt or GSU than they did for our losses. FIU and UNT did not spark much excitement.

That means it was a good trade for all parties involved, including FIU and UNT. We have an opportunity to develop a spark with new blood and likewise for them. It just wasn't working out before.

This sounds like a break up or something.

Burn, even if CUSA takes a 50% decline in their average distributions to each school from their 2009 990 IRS (last one available for individual conferences and colleges) reports (official tax returns), FIU would receive about $ 1.5 million more than what we received from the Sun Belt in 2009. That year, FIU received a distribution from the SBC totaling $223,472, whereas the average payout to each CUSA school was $3.54 million, a difference of $3.3 million.

Again, I trust the work put forth by very competent people in the FIU administrative side in terms of dollars and cents.

Obviously I wish yall luck Fanatic. I hope both UNT and FIU kick butt in C-USA, if for no other reason than to show that the Sun Belt Conference is better than Conference USA.

The numbers differences are purely based NOW on the history of the two different leagues. C-USA benefits from many years of existence ahead of the SBC, and names that nolonger are found on the roster. I expect the two leagues to move to equal standing quickly once the new line-ups are set in stone. Everyone who is touting C-USA's higher payouts are going to be dissapointed after everything is renegotiated the next time around.

It may be Burn, but you don't have the elements to make such an opinionated comment. Again, you can forecast a reduction in conference distribution by 50% if you want, and that would still be 7 more times than what we received from the SBC....and that is assuming SBC payouts stay the same while CUSA payouts get reduced by 50%. To make an assumption it will be much worse than that is, quite simply, more a case of wishful thinking than looking cooly and objectively at historic data and projections.

At any rate, I don't see perhaps such a huge difference as it was last year between the two conferences, I will admit, but I don't see either how you can reach the conclusion it is a mistake, based just on intuition and no hard facts. I commend your efforts and loyalty to the Sun Belt though, but do not share your conclusions.

(05-04-2012 11:13 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Yall DO realize that Conference USA isn't going to hang on to all their bowls and the TV contract that has held them above us now, right?

Where are they going. The only bowl we will probably lose is The Liberty Bowl. And there wasn't a CUSA team in it last year anyway. Plus we may have a chance to eventually pick up the Indy bowl and a bowl in Charlotte.

As far as money and TV contacts go, when the last realignment went down all of Louisville, USF, and Cincy said they would never get a better TV contract than what they had. At the time they had a 9 million dollar contract from ESPN. Well a year half ago CUSA signed 7 million with CBS College Sports and 7 million with Fox = 14 million or 1.23 million per school.

As Ive said it before if we come back in 50 years the core of the Sun Belt will be together just like the MAC. The core has already went as far as they can go.

(05-05-2012 12:10 AM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(05-04-2012 11:13 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Yall DO realize that Conference USA isn't going to hang on to all their bowls and the TV contract that has held them above us now, right?

Where are they going. The only bowl we will probably lose is The Liberty Bowl. And there wasn't a CUSA team in it last year anyway. Plus we may have a chance to eventually pick up the Indy bowl and a bowl in Charlotte.

As far as money and TV contacts go, when the last realignment went down all of Louisville, USF, and Cincy said they would never get a better TV contract than what they had. At the time they had a 9 million dollar contract from ESPN. Well a year half ago CUSA signed 7 million with CBS College Sports and 7 million with Fox = 14 million or 1.23 million per school.

As Ive said it before if we come back in 50 years the core of the Sun Belt will be together just like the MAC. The core has already went as far as they can go.

I believe there is a moratorium on bowls right now, so don't be looking forward to adding a new bowl anytime soon. As for the Indy Bowl, it is experiencing funding issues (although I believe the Parish decided to fund it for a few more years). In any event, the local area desires a big conference match-up. When it is rationed out to lower level conferences the area doesn't make as much money as it does with the big conferences. You may get a secondary agreement with them, but primary I don't think so.

As for the tv deal, it was great. However, the conference lost some huge draws and what they are bringing in do not have market penetration in their markets. So, will you stay at a little under $1.3m per school? I doubt it.

(05-04-2012 11:06 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(05-04-2012 10:49 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  WHY ON EARTH ARE PEOPLE ASSEMBLING ON PRESIDENTS' YARDS OVER A LOUSY C-USA?! This is insanity. The ONLY teams worth a **** left on their roster are ECU, Southern Miss, and Tulsa. The rest of the league consists of Tech (laughable), two Sun Belt programs, and some FCS move-ups. Why is that so impressive?!

Geeze people, recognize what you have here. We have worked for a decade to build this Conference, and now, just as we're getting where we want to be, people are wanting to jump ship for a lateral move that will do nothing but increase your travel expenses. There are so many stupid people in the world.

1. We worked for a decade ? Troy hasn't been in the conference 10 years.

2. Our travel expenses will be reduced significantly. Most schools in our division (West) will be drivable and not require charter flights.

3. It's never been a secret that CUSA is the conference that UNT preferred.

4. There's no reason to rant and rave about decisions that others make that they feel is best for them. Live with it and just move on.

I have one quibble. When CUSA formed, any UNT fan wanting to be there wanted to be there because of Houston and most probably would have said I'd rather be in the WAC with SMU, TCU, Rice, and Tulsa. Then when TCU moved over, I'm sure interest in CUSA became greater. Then it was to be in a CUSA that had Houston, Rice, SMU, Tulsa.

Wasn't that long ago that many UNT fans were declaring their fear that the Sun Belt might add UTSA or TXST.

The CUSA you got has Tulsa and Rice and those are nice to join with. UTEP, you won't send any more people there than you brought to Jonesboro or Monroe but at least they have alums who are in DFW and will help the atmosphere. But the cost has been to affiliate with a program (UTSA) that UNT fans were mostly opposed to seeing in the Sun Belt because they would hurt the league.

In the overall you came out better but TCU, SMU, and Houston have still given you the slip and you now have to be with UTSA after all.

It's a hearty handshake announcement, not a ticker tape parade event.

(05-05-2012 07:11 AM)bluephi1914 Wrote:  

(05-05-2012 12:10 AM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(05-04-2012 11:13 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Yall DO realize that Conference USA isn't going to hang on to all their bowls and the TV contract that has held them above us now, right?

Where are they going. The only bowl we will probably lose is The Liberty Bowl. And there wasn't a CUSA team in it last year anyway. Plus we may have a chance to eventually pick up the Indy bowl and a bowl in Charlotte.

As far as money and TV contacts go, when the last realignment went down all of Louisville, USF, and Cincy said they would never get a better TV contract than what they had. At the time they had a 9 million dollar contract from ESPN. Well a year half ago CUSA signed 7 million with CBS College Sports and 7 million with Fox = 14 million or 1.23 million per school.

As Ive said it before if we come back in 50 years the core of the Sun Belt will be together just like the MAC. The core has already went as far as they can go.

I believe there is a moratorium on bowls right now, so don't be looking forward to adding a new bowl anytime soon. As for the Indy Bowl, it is experiencing funding issues (although I believe the Parish decided to fund it for a few more years). In any event, the local area desires a big conference match-up. When it is rationed out to lower level conferences the area doesn't make as much money as it does with the big conferences. You may get a secondary agreement with them, but primary I don't think so.

Their current Indy Bowl tie ins are the MWC & a low seed ACC team. If CUSA can guarantee their 2 seed, i think they get it; heck, we could probably replace the MWC without any selection guarantee.

Also, I don't think he was speaking of a new bowl in Charlotte, but the Belk Bowl. I think thats a bit of a pipe dream, but with the BE's loss of WVU & the emergence of Charlotte, you never know.

(05-05-2012 09:00 AM)arkstfan Wrote:  

(05-04-2012 11:06 PM)MG61 Wrote:  

(05-04-2012 10:49 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  WHY ON EARTH ARE PEOPLE ASSEMBLING ON PRESIDENTS' YARDS OVER A LOUSY C-USA?! This is insanity. The ONLY teams worth a **** left on their roster are ECU, Southern Miss, and Tulsa. The rest of the league consists of Tech (laughable), two Sun Belt programs, and some FCS move-ups. Why is that so impressive?!

Geeze people, recognize what you have here. We have worked for a decade to build this Conference, and now, just as we're getting where we want to be, people are wanting to jump ship for a lateral move that will do nothing but increase your travel expenses. There are so many stupid people in the world.

1. We worked for a decade ? Troy hasn't been in the conference 10 years.

2. Our travel expenses will be reduced significantly. Most schools in our division (West) will be drivable and not require charter flights.

3. It's never been a secret that CUSA is the conference that UNT preferred.

4. There's no reason to rant and rave about decisions that others make that they feel is best for them. Live with it and just move on.

I have one quibble. When CUSA formed, any UNT fan wanting to be there wanted to be there because of Houston and most probably would have said I'd rather be in the WAC with SMU, TCU, Rice, and Tulsa. Then when TCU moved over, I'm sure interest in CUSA became greater. Then it was to be in a CUSA that had Houston, Rice, SMU, Tulsa.

Wasn't that long ago that many UNT fans were declaring their fear that the Sun Belt might add UTSA or TXST.

The CUSA you got has Tulsa and Rice and those are nice to join with. UTEP, you won't send any more people there than you brought to Jonesboro or Monroe but at least they have alums who are in DFW and will help the atmosphere. But the cost has been to affiliate with a program (UTSA) that UNT fans were mostly opposed to seeing in the Sun Belt because they would hurt the league.

In the overall you came out better but TCU, SMU, and Houston have still given you the slip and you now have to be with UTSA after all.

It's a hearty handshake announcement, not a ticker tape parade event.

Thanks, we'll take the handshake. Here's the lead story in today's DRC and yes we are very excited about the move.


Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky speaks at a press conference Friday at Apogee Stadium announcing that the University of North Texas will join Conference USA in July 2013

ARTICLE
http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local...invite.ece

(05-05-2012 12:10 AM)HerdZoned Wrote:  

(05-04-2012 11:13 PM)Burn the Horse Wrote:  Yall DO realize that Conference USA isn't going to hang on to all their bowls and the TV contract that has held them above us now, right?

Where are they going. The only bowl we will probably lose is The Liberty Bowl. And there wasn't a CUSA team in it last year anyway. Plus we may have a chance to eventually pick up the Indy bowl and a bowl in Charlotte.

As far as money and TV contacts go, when the last realignment went down all of Louisville, USF, and Cincy said they would never get a better TV contract than what they had. At the time they had a 9 million dollar contract from ESPN. Well a year half ago CUSA signed 7 million with CBS College Sports and 7 million with Fox = 14 million or 1.23 million per school.

As Ive said it before if we come back in 50 years the core of the Sun Belt will be together just like the MAC. The core has already went as far as they can go.

Let's shine a touch of reality on your pompous positioning.

#1. The highest paying bowl Conference USA had, it's true premier event, opted to push the champ out last year and they will almost certainly not re-sign CUSA for 2014 and beyond.

#2. NCAA rules provide that you can only sign primary contracts up to the average number of teams finishing bowl eligible the prior four years (2010-2013 is the next evaluation cycle). CUSA is currently on track to lose at least one possibly two contract spots simply by operation of rule.

#3. The SEC, ACC, Big 10 and Big East are on track to increase their number of bowl contracts. The ACC wants out of San Francisco and Shreveport. They will accomplish the first, the second is in the air. ACC is rumored to want to play in St. Pete and Big East is expected to re-sign. Unless the SEC jumps in and makes a play, it is going to be ACC-Big East. The ACC had inquired about GoDaddy and was throwing out the idea to make it ACC-SEC if the SEC gets the extra bowls approved. There is a reason Commissioner Benson was there signing a new contract early. Let's look at the other bowls around that SEC and ACC might contemplate to meet their needs. Armed Forces has locked academies in through 2017. Big XII will be their preference but ACC and SEC will both be interested Big 10 has demonstrated recent interest in Texas games. Military Bowl contract expires this year, CUSA basically got in because Big XII losing teams cut the number of contracts they could sign. Ticket City was another case of benefitting from the cut in Big XII contracts. New Orleans has been dumped by CUSA in consecutive years while the Sun Belt has happily accommodated their requests for specific teams the past few years. New Orleans is likely shopping and with the Big East needing to find regional bowls to accomodate Houston, SMU, and Memphis () New Orleans will be in play.

#4. Let's do the full history of CUSA and TV. ESPN cut CUSA's money when Louisville, DePaul, et. al left. CUSA made up part of that with the CBSC deal, made up more with the 2010 CBSC deal, and finally got ahead with the Fox deal but had to give up the rights to the title game for free to settle an ESPN lawsuit. The gains CUSA experienced percentage wise don't reflect the pace of gain around the country. All of that was done prior to losing four teams. There is no guarantee the CBSC and Fox deals won't be cut or that CBSC and Fox won't demand in lieu of a cut that they get additional years at the current rate delaying when CUSA can cash in on the rapid inflation of TV rights.

#5 As to the core argument, let's examine that. CUSA was formed in 1996. After this realignment Southern Miss and Tulane will be the only remaining schools that played football in CUSA that year. ECU came a year later, UAB was a charter basketball school but later football addition. Everyone else came in 2005 or this addition. Of the presumably six schools being added only two were FBS the last time CUSA expanded. That means there is basically no core at all to CUSA, though I would contend there is a core. It is Rice, Tulane, UAB and Marshall because those are the schools least likely to be involved if things shake up with a Big XII expansion, a Big East expansion, SEC going to 16, or ACC replacing or adding.

UNT made a good move because of the geographies and the in-state programs they will now play.

The UNT administration has never been a conference jumper or pie-in-the-sky hunter. They did not jump because they want to be associated with legendary programs like UAB, FIU, UNCC, and UTSA. They joined because they get Tulsa, UTEP, UTSA, Rice for their fans. They didn't do it for tv money, they did it for butts in the seats and for more notice in Texas and the chance to become the top program in that group.

I understand why UNT fans now have to go with the company line that CUSA is as good as the old CUSA to the world.

But everybody on the Sun Belt board knows better.

When here, why not just go with the truth that your administration was smart in regard to what they were really smart about and save annoying CUSA rah for the rest of the world?

As long as y'all stay the same UNT fan base we have known then I'm rooting for you to take Texas by storm. Leave condescension to LaTech, you'll never beat them at that.

(05-05-2012 09:24 AM)MG61 Wrote:  Thanks, we'll take the handshake. Here's the lead story in today's DRC and yes we are very excited about the move.


Conference USA Commissioner Britton Banowsky speaks at a press conference Friday at Apogee Stadium announcing that the University of North Texas will join Conference USA in July 2013

ARTICLE
http://www.dentonrc.com/local-news/local...invite.ece

Britt looks happy too.

Question (as you folks seem to be more knowledgeable on this than I):

If the main draw for MTSU to move to CUSA is more money/exposure, then wouldn't it behoove the Sunbelt to go ahead and make the adds necessary to get to 16, so there's a championship game, then go to the networks and renegotiate the deal?

Upside is you potentially eliminate the main reason for departures, but the downside would be you don't position yourself to cherry pick if another set or realignment leaves open a good candidate.

At least that's how I see it.

(05-05-2012 10:15 AM)TheRevSWT Wrote:  Question (as you folks seem to be more knowledgeable on this than I):

If the main draw for MTSU to move to CUSA is more money/exposure, then wouldn't it behoove the Sunbelt to go ahead and make the adds necessary to get to 16, so there's a championship game, then go to the networks and renegotiate the deal?

Upside is you potentially eliminate the main reason for departures, but the downside would be you don't position yourself to cherry pick if another set or realignment leaves open a good candidate.

At least that's how I see it.

Numbers for numbers sake is of no help.

What we need is more out-of-conference wins and more post-season wins.

Having seen the complacency that the divisional format has caused in basketball, I am very leery of the divisional format.

When Arkansas State won the west in basketball a lot of our fans believed we had arrived but in reality we tied in the standings to be the third best team in the league.

I've lived in Little Rock a long time and have watched UALR go from a program that was a threat most any time they took the floor to a program that has racked up a lot of division banners but is much less the major upset threat than they once where. Fan interest isn't what it was years ago because fans don't care about division banners they care about whether you can make the Dance and do some damage and they care about whether you can beat a name team or push a ranked team to the wire.

Division banners are a quick way for people to declare we are "good enough" and not push harder.