(03-13-2014 08:26 PM)GE and MTS Wrote: I think the barriers to creating a new conference are so high that I don't think it is plausible scenario. I think it would be almost as bad as going independent.
Not nearly as hard as you might think.
Know how Charlotte and USF got into C-USA?
The Metro had a $2 million exit penalty. Adjusted for inflation $3 million today.
Louisville, Tulane, and Southern Miss didn't want to pay that to UNCC, USF, Va.Tech so they cut a deal. UNCC and USF would get to join CUSA if they would join them in dissolving the conference.
I tell that to set the stage for this.
Let's say that vote goes down 9-2 and AState and Louisiana are the two. If they were walking would ULM, UALR, Texas State, and UTA look at them and say "well bye" or would they start listening to an idea to walk? What about NMSU? USA probably casts their lot with them more than likely Troy. With no place to go and little chance of being able to replace the teams, EVERYONE wants to go, just not everyone is likely to have a slot. This is why a vote isn't likely to go against BUT WHAT IF IT DOES?
Well you need 8 FBS schools to be an FBS league. You can start your own but it is a hassle and under the new rules is a mess dealing with the NCAA.
Solution?
Join an existing league.
You pick up the phone and call the Missouri Valley. That's not productive you call the Horizon. That's not productive you call the Summit. That's not productive you've still got the phone number for the A-Sun and WAC and both of them will say yes.
You probably get a no from the Valley because they are too divided public/private football/non-football and like what they have. Horizon probably gives a no as well.
But the Summit... they might say yes, especially if NDSU has FBS aspirations and Idaho actually becomes viable to join as a full member as does NMSU meaning only six Sun Belt full members have to jump.
Likewise the WAC already has NMSU and Idaho can reverse course on joining the Big Sky.
It can be done. Doesn't mean anyone WOULD do it, but the idea that the western schools can't break away is laughable and if the defection means you end up taking 9 of the full members, you vote dissolve the league and the leftovers are the ones searching for a home and trying to start a league.