One person's view of a split off from NCAA

[alabamagrizzly]

A P4 breakaway is going to happen. The revenue gap is just too big at this point; the Power leagues are pulling in massively more money than everyone else, and that’s what keeps pushing this toward a split.

The big hang‑up is the TV contracts. Those deals tie the conferences to the current setup, and nobody can just walk away without lawyers and networks tearing up the whole structure. The P4 is already moving toward its own governance model, so the desire is clearly there.

To me, this happens when the next major media deal comes up and a network decides it wants one unified contract instead of four separate ones. That’s the moment it becomes real.

I have a question:
What happens with antitrust? A fully unified, NFL style P4 league suddenly starts looking a lot like a monopoly. Does Congress step in, or does the P4 get some kind of legal protection?

That might end up being one of the biggest hurdles or the cleanest pathway, depending on how it’s handled.

Everyone is talking like a split guarantees us an invite to the FBS. Why is that?

 

[5280Griz]

Everyone is talking like a split guarantees us an invite to the FBS. Why is that?

If there is a split and if the FBS wants to add teams UM is in a good position to be invited but those 2 ifs are not the same as guarantees.

 

[406football]

Everyone is talking like a split guarantees us an invite to the FBS. Why is that?

People are talking like a G5 split guarantees Montana an FBS invite, but that’s mostly fan speculation. CUSA added FCS schools like Delaware and Missouri State in 2025, NDSU to MWC and Sac State leaving pushing FBS to 136 teams, and that makes people assume more FCS call‑ups are coming and Montana would be a top option. I agree. however, the mountain west has been gutted and I think it more likely they lose some teams because of need to drop down to FCS to maintain a budget.

 

[BrownBear9501]

I wish the schools would have left everything in tact as is for basketball and every other sport except football in terms of conferences, post season etc. Football drove this whole thing, don’t mess with every other sports. Could be similar to the Missouri Valley and Missouri Valkey Football conference. Have conferences and then football versions of the conferences that work independently of the conferences for all the other sports with different schools, etc.

 

[alabamagrizzly]

If there is a split and if the FBS wants to add teams UM is in a good position to be invited but those 2 ifs are not the same as guarantees.

So the key word is IF. I dont think thats a guarantee like people are thinking. Why would lower tier FBS schools want to invite some FCS schools to share what little money they will be receiving. They will already only be receiving whats left of the P4 money.

 

[mthoopsfan]

So the key word is IF. I dont think thats a guarantee like people are thinking. Why would lower tier FBS schools want to invite some FCS schools to share what little money they will be receiving. They will already only be receiving whats left of the P4 money.

Maybe they will leave a conference or 2 behind or shed some teams too, if it happens. I wonder how many people will want to watch JV (or D2) playoffs? Isn't that what some posters think not playing at the top level means?

 

[p8nted]

Good point. I wouldn't call it a "loss". To me, it an expense. The FCS teams take extra people to the championship game. The Grizzlies have always done that. And 6 figures may only be a bit over $100,000. Don't know if the Ill St guy said more. I assume going to going to a bowl game can eat into the relatively small amounts paid by the lesser bowls too.

Point being, if the NCAA Money goes away to run the FCS playoffs those expenses will go through the roof for FCS teams to fund the playoffs. May be more than many can pay

 

[kemajic]

Point being, if the NCAA Money goes away to run the FCS playoffs those expenses will go through the roof for FCS teams to fund the playoffs. May be more than many can pay

The minor league playoffs are big $ losers that the NCAA covers. A big bone of contention for the P4. Maybe the NCAA can still cover it with their Bball Tournament profits.

There could be cost savings by cutting the field back. 24 is way too many, we get several unworthy teams. There has never been an FCS NC that wasn't in the top 12. Fewer patsies, fewer blowouts, better games, better attendance.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Point being, if the NCAA Money goes away to run the FCS playoffs those expenses will go through the roof for FCS teams to fund the playoffs. May be more than many can pay

Could be. I understood the point. Or maybe more money will shift to FCS from the bottom of FCS, because the FCS brand is more real and not professional and its playoffs and playoff system are better.

 

[grizjumps45]

Jeez, I give you current info from a big time insider, and no one says a word. Huh.

No, it's that when you actually share your opinion and the nuance to that opinion, you explain it in a really intelligent way that is easily digestible because your obviously at very least an intelligent guy, you wouldn't have achieved what you have in life without that simple fact. The other 90 percent of the time in the forums though, you're a major cocksucker. Like no your not a cocksucker when you take your time and explain your position and viewpoint rather than defending that viewpoint, you're actually a really enjoyable person and learn from. You're not in court anymore Jack, its okay for the other guy to be right as well and it's okay if you’re both wrong.

 

[mthoopsfan]

No, it's that when you actually share your opinion and the nuance to that opinion, you explain it in a really intelligent way that is easily digestible because your obviously at very least an intelligent guy, you wouldn't have achieved what you have in life without that simple fact. The other 90 percent of the time in the forums though, you're a major cocksucker. Like no your not a cocksucker when you take your time and explain your position and viewpoint rather than defending that viewpoint, you're actually a really enjoyable person and learn from. You're not in court anymore Jack, its okay for the other guy to be right as well and it's okay if you’re both wrong.

Nope. You are wrong. You obviously don’t uunderstand when I am teasing and baiting. And again, when jerks come at me, and I often come back at them. It has nothing to do with people not agreeing with me or me disagreeing. Zero. I don’t agree with many posters including some of my friends, but I don’t tangle with them. I find it interesting that some posters are apparently so bugged by some of my posting style, that they follow me around the board. I was never in court in my life, except as a defendant a few times.

 

[grizjumps45]

Nope. You are wrong. You obviously don’t uunderstand when I am teasing and baiting. And again, when jerks come at me, and I often come back at them. It has nothing to do with people not agreeing with me or me disagreeing. Zero. I don’t agree with many posters including some of my friends, but I don’t tangle with them. I find it interesting that some posters are apparently so bugged by some of my posting style, that they follow me around the board. I was never in court in my life, except as a defendant a few times.

Okay, Jack whatever you say. Type of guy you can't even give a compliment too. The first thing you said is: oh nobody is coming for me on this post, yeah because your opinion actively makes sense, because you explained the nuance behind it.

 

[GriznMN]

NCAA basketball tournament $$ funds the FCS playoffs. Can it cpntiinue with that source of funds. Teams already lose money by being in the playoffs. Illinois State AD reported a 6 figure loss to participate

I'm sure Illinois State playing every game on the road contributed to their 6 figure loss.