Delaware Moving to FBS

[Ut-Grizfan]

Some more realignment news, OSU/Wazzu have a scheduling agreement but shockingly the clause that was to prevent the PAC2 from cherry picking MWC schools (after 2 years so OSU/Wazzu can get all the $$ meant for the PAC) was removed/not included. This means best case scenario if the MWC is cherry picked we could get called up to backfill and I hope we'd take the chance.

https://twitter.com/RossDellenger/status/1729562863889477839?t=sBFlh091i7n7Fzr2ZP0cpQ&s=19

From the MWC Forum 6-7 teams would probably be poached at minimum: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno, UNLV, SDSU and either Hawaii (New TZ/TV slot), SJSU, (Bay Area Market) or Nevada (State BOR won't let them split up). Let's say in this scenario $$ matters so SJSU and Hawaii are added leaving 5 MWC schools. Simple fix would be to add NMSU, UTEP and then us to get to 9, could then add Idaho to get to 10 and then go after a few more Big Sky or MVFC schools, would be a pretty good looking Conference:

NEW MWC:

Montana
Montana State
Wyoming
Idaho
Nevada
Utah State
Air Force
New Mexico
NMSU
UTEP

Other options to get to 12: NDSU, SDSU, Sac State, North Dakota, South Dakota, UC-Davis

Sounds like a rebel Robert post on the MWC board........ so many schemes.

Oh, I'm nothing like RebelRobert. This is just a maybe scenario that I've seen thrown around from the many conversations in particular, on the conference re alignment thread (the supposed teams leaving that is). And if I'm being completely honest one I wouldn't mind seeing happen just so Montana and MSU could finally move up.

 

[p8nted]

You do understand the MWC will actively renegotiate a new TV deal well before the existing one runs out? Thus anyone leaving has to pay a $17 million exit fee at least? The exit fees do not expire with the TV deal.

Yes, but if it becomes known some schools want to leave they could delay the process.
I'm thinking that if 6 or 7 of the 11 full time members want to leave they could probably vote to reduce the exit fees. But you may be right, if it would take something like a unanimous vote to change the fee amounts.

Delaying a new media deal when you are a board member, with invites in hand, leaves you wide open to a lawsuit. Not sure about votes needed to change a bylaws but I believe it is 75% needed to change those. Hawaii has no vote as an affiliate so you need 8.25 or 9 of 11 votes to change the bylaws for the exit fee.

 

[fltheadgriz]

I will say this...they are moving to C-USA...good for them.
Liberty is currently on top of the C-USA and is 12-0 and only ranked #24.
Even if they expanded the filed to 16 teams Liberty will not get in.
So why would you want to go to the FBS to a conference like C-USA when you will NEVER get into the playoffs?

 

[Copper Griz]

I will say this...they are moving to C-USA...good for them.
Liberty is currently on top of the C-USA and is 12-0 and only ranked #24.
Even if they expanded the filed to 16 teams Liberty will not get in.
So why would you want to go to the FBS to a conference like C-USA when you will NEVER get into the playoffs?

Yep. I don’t object to the Griz or Cats moving up if it makes sense financially. If! I don’t think the TV contracts would be lucrative enough and I certainly don’t think students should be paying for the sports programs to move up through exorbitant fees. Moving up is one thing, but continuing to fund the move is another. TV contracts may be less lucrative in the future as well. Hard to predict with the baby boomers passing and the amount of streaming that will occur. Do advertisers feel they are getting enough out of their commercials. Are certain tv provides even going to be in business in the future. Take a look at Dish and then Sling TV. Look at YouTube TV and who owns them. Specifically, look at the subscription rates. What you see today - is not likely to be the same tomorrow or five years from now.

 

[CDAGRIZ]

From what I understand, UM should maybe take a look at setting athletic fees commensurate with those in this century. It’s not just a few medicine balls and ankle tape anymore.

As for UD, I’m happy for them. Same with Liberty. Where would UM be ranked? 60th?

 

[EverettGriz]

I will say this...they are moving to C-USA...good for them.
Liberty is currently on top of the C-USA and is 12-0 and only ranked #24.
Even if they expanded the filed to 16 teams Liberty will not get in.
So why would you want to go to the FBS to a conference like C-USA when you will NEVER get into the playoffs?

Perhaps because I’m watching fcs playoffs now (on espn+ because no one is watching) and there may be 3100 people in attendance. No one cares. Not even fans of the teams playing.

Perhaps because a move would have a MASSIVE positive impact on basketball and the Olympic sports.

Or perhaps it’s just because Montana belongs to be playing with the best teams in the country, and I like the challenge

 

[BigGreenTruck]

From the MWC Forum 6-7 teams would probably be poached at minimum: Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno, UNLV, SDSU and either Hawaii (New TZ/TV slot), SJSU, (Bay Area Market) or Nevada (State BOR won't let them split up). Let's say in this scenario $$ matters so SJSU and Hawaii are added leaving 5 MWC schools. Simple fix would be to add NMSU, UTEP and then us to get to 9, could then add Idaho to get to 10 and then go after a few more Big Sky or MVFC schools, would be a pretty good looking Conference:

NEW MWC:

Montana
Montana State
Wyoming
Idaho
Nevada
Utah State
Air Force
New Mexico
NMSU
UTEP

Other options to get to 12: NDSU, SDSU, Sac State, North Dakota, South Dakota, UC-Davis

First off congratz to Delaware for finally taking the leap. When Marshall left after the 1996 season I thought they would be one of the 1st to be right behind us (Next 5 years) but that wasn't to be.

I don't see San Jose State making the cut here. It will be Oregon State and Washington State making these decisions and SJSU academics and Carnegie Classification doesn't cut it. Like it or not its university presidents and not ADs that make and vote on schools in realignment and in most cases academics are very much a priority. Just take a look at two of some of the last moves in Rice to the AAC and SMU to the ACC. Both Academic heavys in a metro area. My guess it would be Nevada (R1 Carnegie Classification) over San Jose State (Masters Large Programs Carnegie Classification)