Sun Belt could be getting La. Tech again

[Wyokie]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/07/2154460/sun-belt-might-add-11th-school.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

If so, a bunch of teams that's in the WAC right could be heading for the Big Sky including Nevada-Reno due to their money problems.

UNR may have to drop down a level due to budget problems.

I could see them, Idaho, Utah State, and New Mexico State joining an already bloated Big Sky Conference with UND, SUU joining for all sports and the two California schools for football only.

 

[nwhoops44]

In listening and reading comments from lots of people, it might be time for the Viks to leave the Big Sky.

The key might be how the Pac-12 TV money gets doled out, if ESPN/ABC do not get the contract, they are going to be looking fill the void with their second tier networks and they have no place to turn but out West. The money they will spend will not come to the Big Sky in my opinion, but will the WAC and Mt. West.

I have listened to lots of people in the last year and right now might be the time to think big and leave the Big Sky for greener pastures, especially in today's economic structure.

 

[pottystop]

I keep reading that you think it is time to leave the Big Sky. Do you realize that it takes a lot of money to move up a Division or change Conferences. Yes, it would be nice but not realistic. PSU, as are many other colleges, is hurting financially in athletics because of lost revenues. PSU athletic department has done a good job balancing their budget despite the state cuts to their budget and lost sponsors revenue. Fortunately, there has been some big money games to help the athletic programs. Any suggestions on where PSU can get the money needed to make these moves?
Besides, if these other colleges move into the Big Sky it could make the Big Sky a stronger conference. Stronger conference will lead to more media coverage, greater following, larger game paydays, sponsorships, and hopefully larger attendances. Why would PSU want to leave a conference that is growing?

 

[nwhoops44]

It is called TV money, no one is going to give an FCS conference big tv money.

It was costly to move to the Big Sky and it was done, time to get bigger and not stand pat.

The proposed merger is going to happen between PSU and OHSU. An off shoot, D-1 football needs to follow.

Thank you.

 

[mvem]

http://www.miamiherald.com/2011/04/07/2154460/sun-belt-might-add-11th-school.html

If so, a bunch of teams that's in the WAC right could be heading for the Big Sky including Nevada-Reno due to their money problems.

UNR may have to drop down a level due to budget problems.

I could see them, Idaho, Utah State, and New Mexico State joining an already bloated Big Sky Conference with UND, SUU joining for all sports and the two California schools for football only.

Zzuh? Nevada's already heading for the Mountain West.

 

[PSUVikings2]

]

Zzuh? Nevada's already heading for the Mountain West.

Alrighty.....here's my super short way of explaining all of this.

The state of Nevada has cut funding on UNR's athletic department again. There is a minimum budget all FBS teams must abide for their football program. If they don't, they lost their FBS status. Nevada is just barely hanging above the minimum standard. The big panic for UNR is coming next spring, when another big budget cut is expected. If the next cut does in fact put Nevada under the minimum standard, they could find themselves in the Big Sky. This same thing has happened to UNLV, except they have the extra money to avoid any complications. The Pack can't say that. There is a lot of doomsday talk about them all over the internet. A 12-1 dream season and they still can't draw good crowds. Simply put: Nobody cares about the Nevada Wolf Pack. Hence, there is panic rising about this possibility that UNR could lose more funding and further complicate things.

Simple enough?

 

[mvem]

]

Zzuh? Nevada's already heading for the Mountain West.

Alrighty.....here's my super short way of explaining all of this.

The state of Nevada has cut funding on UNR's athletic department again. There is a minimum budget all FBS teams must abide for their football program. If they don't, they lost their FBS status. Nevada is just barely hanging above the minimum standard. The big panic for UNR is coming next spring, when another big budget cut is expected. If the next cut does in fact put Nevada under the minimum standard, they could find themselves in the Big Sky. This same thing has happened to UNLV, except they have the extra money to avoid any complications. The Pack can't say that. There is a lot of doomsday talk about them all over the internet. A 12-1 dream season and they still can't draw good crowds. Simply put: Nobody cares about the Nevada Wolf Pack. Hence, there is panic rising about this possibility that UNR could lose more funding and further complicate things.

Simple enough?

OK, thanks, I hadn't seen those news stories. From reading this article, however, I get the impression the cuts don't so much threaten Nevada's FBS status as they threaten their entire Division I status. Maybe the Wolfpack will end up in the RMAC? :lol:

I'd be quite surprised to actually see this happen, though. The article acts like the most realistic worst-case scenario is cutting a women's sport (which would drop them to the DI minimum of 14 total sports). I'm sure UNR will do everything they possible can to avoid dropping down (to FCS or DII). There are so many DI athletic departments that bleed money, yet they're still there—even the ones that would likely be better off making a drop down.

 

[BroadwayVik]

Nevada has a huge endowment. They'll find the money.