(10-30-2014 12:46 PM)KNIGHTTIME Wrote: I think the p5 will eventually want that separate league and hopefully they agree to taking a bloated mwc + aac merger. I think they will be ok with just eliminating a good chunk of the current fbs at the bottom. Then let our two leagues fight out for 1 spot.
and as much as I am mildly ashamed to say it, I dont think its a bad idea. If you look at the budget and attendance of the MAC, Sunbelt and CUSA it is a major departure from the P5.
Some of the MWC is semi close and several in the AAC are pretty close. I looked at USF and if we had a B12 type payout for TV then we would be right in the middle of the Athletic Budgets... but not a single team in the Sunbelt, even with an SEC or Big 10 payout would even crack the P5 budgets.
That gap isnt going to get closer and now with full cost of attendance and other add on costs, there are probably 40 or more programs that will never be able to effectively compete.
If you look at total sports revenue, the P5 conferences take the top 45 slots...then UNLV sneaks in there. Connecticut, Cinci, Memphis, USF, New Mexico, Boise St and Houston round out the top 60.
Really I dont see anybody in the AAC that if they were getting a Big 12 type tv deal wouldnt be within the range of the other P5 schools.
It makes me feel for Cinci and Uconn even more. If you add $18 million to their revenue, then they would move into the top 30-40 area. (given, this graph removes any private school, so most of us would move down but the point is still the same)
http://www.usatoday.com/sports/college/s.../finances/