Montana cost to move to FBS

[Green Cookie Monster]

http://missoulian.com/college/griz/article_b87e6958-5778-11e0-9bd2-001cc4c002e0.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

 

[SDHornet]

It can’t be the offseason without a UM move-up thread. :lol:

 

[superhornet]

It can’t be the offseason without a UM move-up thread. :lol:

In their defense, though, this is more of a we're-not-doing-it-because-it-costs-WAY-too-much thing than a I-think-we-should thing.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I think the only way the WAC survives is to somehow morph into an ESPN puppet and that means media markets and TV sets. The money that floats this boat is based from TV viewership. By puppet I mean playing at 10:20PM on Tuesday night type of stuff.

The whole state of Montana watching the UM/MSU game wouldn't equal the money made by a ESPN televised California regional Sac State/UCD game. There are over 1.5M households in the footprint this game would draw. And exponentially more if statewide interest is factored. For every 20K fans at the game, surely another 80K will tune in from the confines of their LaZ-boy with a cold 12pk.

UM couldn't go FBS w/o MSU and the state of Montana can't support two FBS programs.

 

[superhornet]

You mean the way CBS is the SEC's b!@#%? That spot might already be taken by the Big Ten.

 

[StungAlum]

You mean the way CBS is the SEC's b!@#%? That spot might already be taken by the Big Ten.

True that.

 

[StungAlum]

I think the only way the WAC survives is to somehow morph into an ESPN puppet and that means media markets and TV sets. The money that floats this boat is based from TV viewership. By puppet I mean playing at 10:20PM on Tuesday night type of stuff.

The whole state of Montana watching the UM/MSU game wouldn't equal the money made by a ESPN televised California regional Sac State/UCD game. There are over 1.5M households in the footprint this game would draw. And exponentially more if statewide interest is factored. For every 20K fans at the game, surely another 80K will tune in from the confines of their LaZ-boy with a cold 12pk.

UM couldn't go FBS w/o MSU and the state of Montana can't support two FBS programs.

I agree, there's no way Montana can support two FBS programs. There are fewer than 1 million people in the entire state. Not to mention the fact that Montana probably couldnt draw more than about 30-35k per game at full build-out should they expand. There just arent enough people.

They're ticket prices are already high and the students at UM have voted down fee increases to support athletics. $5 million to move up in Montana might as well be $20 million.

 

[SDHornet]

Their posters have indicated that UM is lacking a lot of support facilities aside from a bigger stadium that a “move up” would need. Plus add in the additional women’s sports needed (Title IX) and their facilities, coaches, and travel budgets and they are looking at a pretty hefty price tag in initial costs and increases to annual budgets. Add in the political issues of UM and MSU not being in the same conference anymore and that adds more complexity to the issue.

Finally add in the fact that their only FBS option is joining the abortion that is the WAC and you can see why there are plenty of UM fans who don’t want to go FBS. The WAC will have very few bowl ties-ins and the ones they will have will be pretty meaningless. Also their TV contract is going to get slashed big time due to the media darlings Boise State leaving the conference. As much as I hate to admit it because I would like to see Sac State in the FBS; unless a school is hell bent on going FBS, there is little upside in “moving up” to the WAC. :twocents:

 

[StungAlum]

Finally add in the fact that their only FBS option is joining the abortion that is the WAC...

:lol: