What is driving conference re-alignment and expansion?

[Hammerhead Dad]

Can you spell M-O-N-E-Y? And then can you spell T-V?

Its all about how schools can maximize their revenue through TV money, right? Look at the reasons why Nebraska went to the Big 10 and Texas decided to stay in the Big 12. You won't find any other significant reasons than TV and money.

My point is why the WAC may choose schools like Sac State, UC Davis or Portland State over Cal Poly, Montana or Montana State.

Sacramento and Portland are the nation's 20th and 22nd largest media markets respectively. Missoula is 166th or something like that. Bozeman is further down the line.

So it isn't about whether you can beat us in football forever (sorry Griz fans), but TV & money.

I read that UM's athletic budget is $13 million. Ours is $15 million. The jump to FBS division costs about $20 million. Sounds like we are $2 million closer than them, plus we have already have the # of sports required and they are short the required #. I heard Terry Wanless say at a Stinger board meeting that incremental revenues from moving up would likely increase by $3 million, so we would need to find about $2 million to make the jump.

That being said, the WAC commissioner, I believe, will try and find existing FBS schools like UTEP or Houston to raise the level of the conference, but that may or may not be feasible.

It would be interesting if LA Tech leaves if the WAC invites four teams. Benson has stated he will be inviting one or two schools to the WAC by the end of the summer. I guess we'll see what happens. This story is going to take some time to materialize though because the higher conference re-alignments will need to happen first before the WAC does anything.

 

[Green Cookie Monster]

I read somewhere that the WAC would be making a 'surprise' announcement this week. In reading the WAC boards you'd think the FCS teams under consideration have leprosy or something.

 

[SDHornet]

I read somewhere that the WAC would be making a 'surprise' announcement this week. In reading the WAC boards you'd think the FCS teams under consideration have leprosy or something.

You'd think the bottom feeder WAC schools (USU, NM St, Idaho, SJSU) would love to have someone else to beat up on for a few years. They must be in denial about the fact that Boise State will take most if not all of the credibility of the WAC with them when they leave.

HHD is spot on. It's always about the money and nothing else. Anyone thinking otherwise is mistaken.

 

[SactoHornetAlum]

I read somewhere that the WAC would be making a 'surprise' announcement this week. In reading the WAC boards you'd think the FCS teams under consideration have leprosy or something.

You'd think the bottom feeder WAC schools (USU, NM St, Idaho, SJSU) would love to have someone else to beat up on for a few years. They must be in denial about the fact that Boise State will take most if not all of the credibility of the WAC with them when they leave.

HHD is spot on. It's always about the money and nothing else. Anyone thinking otherwise is mistaken.

And why Montana will not get an invite more than likely...its all about TV sets and the $$$ they bring to advertisers.

 

[SDHornet]

I read somewhere that the WAC would be making a 'surprise' announcement this week. In reading the WAC boards you'd think the FCS teams under consideration have leprosy or something.

You'd think the bottom feeder WAC schools (USU, NM St, Idaho, SJSU) would love to have someone else to beat up on for a few years. They must be in denial about the fact that Boise State will take most if not all of the credibility of the WAC with them when they leave.

HHD is spot on. It's always about the money and nothing else. Anyone thinking otherwise is mistaken.

And why Montana will not get an invite more than likely...its all about TV sets and the $$$ they bring to advertisers.

That and I don't see how the WAC could have any interest in their little brother as UM will probably try to make it a package deal. :roll: