(03-29-2024 05:18 AM)cmufanatic Wrote:  I think the ship has sailed for WKU. MAC had the perfect opportunity to add them but blew it

As BeatWestern is saying: These things are a process. It was beginning to look as if UMass would not join the MAC either, but suddenly now they are in.

It could be that a quiet understanding is starting to emerge but that Western Kentucky needs to wait for July to arrive, or something. I'm speculating, but the point is there are all kinds of factors that go into this that need to be worked through, and it seems pretty clear the MAC has time to wait. The UMass announcement was only a month ago.

We haven't seen much of anything to rebut the idea that mutual interest exists between Western Kentucky and the MAC.

Future TV deal hierarchy outside of the P4.

5) Big East (probably still the best per school)
6) 2PAC/MWC (going to be great basketball)
7) AAC (clearly on the decline)
8) MAC (has a chance here with deal up 26-27')
9) SBC
10) CUSA

MAC finished #23 in the BB rankings but should have the 8th highest per school TV deal payout when the conferences are renegotiated.

Conference rank is important as to who is going to fill TV slots. If the AAC implodes the MAC moves up another rung on the ladder.

CUSA is always going to be stuck behind the SBC in payout and perceived as a step below. There is no reason to stick in there if you can get out of it.

(03-29-2024 11:07 AM)Garden_KC Wrote:  Future TV deal hierarchy outside of the P4.

5) Big East (probably still the best per school)
6) 2PAC/MWC (going to be great basketball)
7) AAC (clearly on the decline)
8) MAC (has a chance here with deal up 26-27')
9) SBC
10) CUSA

MAC finished #23 in the BB rankings but should have the 8th highest per school TV deal payout when the conferences are renegotiated.

Conference rank is important as to who is going to fill TV slots. If the AAC implodes the MAC moves up another rung on the ladder.

CUSA is always going to be stuck behind the SBC in payout and perceived as a step below. There is no reason to stick in there if you can get out of it.

Disagree. The MAC deal may temporarily pass the SBC (barely)--but in the long run the SBC's will be higher--if they continue to have a great success in football.

Also--Who would have said SEVEN years ago that the SBC media deal would be higher than CUSA?? Almost no one. Things change. They could flip--or go Totally sideways in the next 5-10 years.

The current MAC media deal is probably a money-loss for MAC schools. To stream games on ESPN3/+ the school needs to pay for its own production, facilities, equipment, on-air analysts, etc. That stuff isn't cheap. Equipment breaks or becomes outdated, the cost of labor has only increased since 2020, etc.

The current media deal probably needs to be at least doubled (and probably tripled to be cash positive) to be worth as much as it was in 2014 with the cost of inflation.

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million buyout to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR buyout that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

Lutz to Oklahoma State is now official:

https://twitter.com/OSUMBB/status/1774904277363769654

https://twitter.com/WKUSports/status/177...gr%5Etweet

As previously noted, Lutz' WKU buyout for leaving before April 30 is $2 million.

Apologies if I posted this here before...


IMHO if CUSA adds Missouri State by June 30th or sooner this will mean that WKU will not be coming to the MAC for several years--if ever.

IMO these two decisions are heavily Connected.

(04-04-2024 05:10 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Apologies if I posted this here before...


IMHO if CUSA adds Missouri State by June 30th or sooner this will mean that WKU will not be coming to the MAC for several years--if ever.

IMO these two decisions are heavily Connected.

Actually, Tops, I would say it like this: CUSA expansion is on hold for now until WKU's future is determined. If WKU moves to the MAC, then CUSA could remain at 10 or add two schools at a later time to get to 12.

(04-04-2024 05:10 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Apologies if I posted this here before...


IMHO if CUSA adds Missouri State by June 30th or sooner this will mean that WKU will not be coming to the MAC for several years--if ever.

IMO these two decisions are heavily Connected.

I think MAC fans have come to enjoy WKU fans who have come here and we all appreciate the success of your two major sports and think you would fit well (especially geographically in the footprint). I agree, the MAC needed to make the invite back when CUSA was raided (yet again) and was on near verge of collapse. The opportunity has passed. I don't particularly think much of some of the schools CUSA added (seemed like desperate adds) but they could maybe eventually be good adds and the conference really had no other choices. WKU and MTSU made a boatload of money off all the defections from CUSA so it made sense to stay there.

(04-04-2024 05:18 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(04-04-2024 05:10 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Apologies if I posted this here before...


IMHO if CUSA adds Missouri State by June 30th or sooner this will mean that WKU will not be coming to the MAC for several years--if ever.

IMO these two decisions are heavily Connected.

Actually, Tops, I would say it like this: CUSA expansion is on hold for now until WKU's future is determined. If WKU moves to the MAC, then CUSA could remain at 10 or add two schools at a later time to get to 12.

That is certainly one way to evaluate the situation. Logical.

Despite that-- I still must maintain my statement in post #46.



The only caveat would be a slightly possible move by April 30, 2025 (unlikely).

(04-04-2024 05:18 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(04-04-2024 05:10 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Apologies if I posted this here before...


IMHO if CUSA adds Missouri State by June 30th or sooner this will mean that WKU will not be coming to the MAC for several years--if ever.

IMO these two decisions are heavily Connected.

Actually, Tops, I would say it like this: CUSA expansion is on hold for now until WKU's future is determined. If WKU moves to the MAC, then CUSA could remain at 10 or add two schools at a later time to get to 12.

I suspect this is right.

(04-04-2024 07:43 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  The only caveat would be a slightly possible move by April 30, 2025 (unlikely).

We'll find out.