Joining the Mountain West would run an $8MM - $9MM annual deficit - can we overcome that?

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

NM State Athletics announced today a landmark partnership with Inn of the Mountain Gods, which will become the exclusive jersey patch partner for Aggie Athletics beginning with the 2026-27 seasons.

What will be the reaction if/when MSU get a better revenue deal for patches?? This is where UM or MSU can really separate themselves with revenue generation.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

Wouldn't be to sure on this, last interview Haslam did about 2 months ago he said his approach was just to wait and see what happens with realignment and the P4 forming their own league. While NDSU, Sac St, Tarleton State, North Dakota are all positioning themselves for the next wave of realignment. Especially now that the NCAA D1 board recommended that the wait time (FCS-FBS) to be eligible for bowls and CFP be removed. The vote is in June.

I like the wait and see approach for realignment. Let a conference align around us. I’m sure the phone will ring.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

If UM did/could move to the PAC or MWC, would Griz alumni and supporters do it if it meant that going forward the number of Montana players would not get recruited.

 

[kemajic]

How much will it cost to expand Wa-griz and Bobcat stadium to fit 50 thousand people?

It doesn't matter, we don't have 50,000 wanting to buy a ticket. Overexpansion of capacity would kill ticket prices.

 

[mthoopsfan]

NM State Athletics announced today a landmark partnership with Inn of the Mountain Gods, which will become the exclusive jersey patch partner for Aggie Athletics beginning with the 2026-27 seasons.

What will be the reaction if/when MSU get a better revenue deal for patches?? This is where UM or MSU can really separate themselves with revenue generation.

“Inn of the Mountain Gods is a premier AAA Four-Diamond resort and casino in Mescalero, New Mexico, near Ruidoso, owned by the
Mescalero Apache Tribe. It offers 273 luxury rooms, a 38,000 sq ft casino, dining, a championship golf course, and lake activities, set in the Sacramento Mountains.”

 

[5280Griz]

“Inn of the Mountain Gods is a premier AAA Four-Diamond resort and casino in Mescalero, New Mexico, near Ruidoso, owned by the
Mescalero Apache Tribe. It offers 273 luxury rooms, a 38,000 sq ft casino, dining, a championship golf course, and lake activities, set in the Sacramento Mountains.”

Nothing has come from ASU on what they are doing for jersey patches, but there are far bigger and better tribal casinos than that one around Phoenix. The 2 in Chandler Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte are both larger. Talking Stick outside Scottsdale is 2x-3x as big depending on which metric you are using.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

If UM did/could move to the PAC or MWC, would Griz alumni and supporters do it if it meant that going forward the number of Montana players would not get recruited.

As is custom, we would have no choice but to withdraw all support from UM and UM Athletics immediately.

 

[argh!]

As is custom, we would have no choice but to withdraw all support from UM and UM Athletics immediately.

unless hauck is re-hired, of course.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

unless hauck is re-hired, of course.

Yes. In that case, we'd have to be patient. It's a process.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

I like the wait and see approach for realignment. Let a conference align around us. I’m sure the phone will ring.

sure, I have ocean front property to sell you in Nevada. The waiting game is over, next round is in 2027.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

“Inn of the Mountain Gods is a premier AAA Four-Diamond resort and casino in Mescalero, New Mexico, near Ruidoso, owned by the
Mescalero Apache Tribe. It offers 273 luxury rooms, a 38,000 sq ft casino, dining, a championship golf course, and lake activities, set in the Sacramento Mountains.”

This could be worth millions to New Mexico State, they were not waiting on the conference schools to split revenue equally, I am sure the AD Dept is on top of it for UM.

 

[MontanaGrizSoccer]

Nothing has come from ASU on what they are doing for jersey patches, but there are far bigger and better tribal casinos than that one around Phoenix. The 2 in Chandler Wild Horse Pass and Lone Butte are both larger. Talking Stick outside Scottsdale is 2x-3x as big depending on which metric you are using.

Talking Stick is huge, UM can go outside of Montana for jersey patch sponsors, I don't think UM has the experience in the AD Dept to get something done, think they are relying on Learfield to find them sponsors, pick up the phone.

 

[5280Griz]

Talking Stick is huge, UM can go outside of Montana for jersey patch sponsors, I don't think UM has the experience in the AD Dept to get something done, think they are relying on Learfield to find them sponsors, pick up the phone.

Talking Stick is huge when it comes to price. They charged me $300 to play 18 holes when it was over 100 degrees the other day.

 

[mthoopsfan]

Talking Stick is huge when it comes to price. They charged me $300 to play 18 holes when it was over 100 degrees the other day.

They should have charged you more.

 

[5280Griz]

They should have charged you more.

You don’t play golf and have no idea what it should cost. Ocotillo is under $100 for the same tee times that Talking Stick charges $300 for.

 

[HelenaHandBasket]

You don’t play golf and have no idea what it should cost. Ocotillo is under $100 for the same tee times that Talking Stick charges $300 for.

Sounds like you made a poor financial decision or you wouldn't be bitching.

 

[mthoopsfan]

You don’t play golf and have no idea what it should cost. Ocotillo is under $100 for the same tee times that Talking Stick charges $300 for.

I played golf for decades. Some of my friends are good golfers. My law school is the guy in this link. "2008-09: President, USGA". His roommate in college is Tom Watson. They were best men in each other's weddings.

SoCal Golf Hall of Fame

socalgolfhof.com

Here's my former law partner and sometime golfing parter. He's about 75. golfed at Dartmouth. Has played 3 times in British Senior Amateur: "Golfing lately - Senior State Amateur held at Missoula CC finished 3rd but came on strong with a 73 the last day - a casual round with golfing buddy Mack Clapp Sunday shot 71 - but the highlight was my pro-am group today led by pro David Owens - I shot 2 under 70 on a good golf course - Old Works. Thank you Will, Dave & David! (And yes Joe all putts were holed and official scorecard signed!)"

 

[5280Griz]

Sounds like you made a poor financial decision or you wouldn't be bitching.

It’s fine to play on occasion but is overrated in my opinion. It is a standard desert course. Ocotillo has a lot of water that you don’t see often on Arizona courses.

 

[SoldierGriz]

This could be worth millions to New Mexico State, they were not waiting on the conference schools to split revenue equally, I am sure the AD Dept is on top of it for UM.

Millions? Here is the current framework:

Top football & basketball brands $2–5 million Strong brands but not elite $1–3 million.
Large fanbases + strong TV exposure.

Mid‑majors $250K–$1 million
Smaller markets but still meaningful revenue.

Low‑major D‑I programs $100K–$500K
Depends heavily on local sponsors.

These annual ranges come from industry projections and legal/financial analysis of the new rule.

New Mexico is where? What about Montana?

I'll say it again - this is NOT the golden goose you are looking for.

 

[SoldierGriz]

UNLV recently detailed a five-year, $11 million jersey-patch sponsor deal, which may provide a rough benchmark for the value of such high-level collegiate sponsorships.