(05-06-2014 03:39 AM)BruceMcF Wrote:  But we already know that for FCS schools, because an FCS school plays in the FCS with higher scholarship limits but without eligibility for the championship in the first year of the transition, and is first allowed to play in the FBS (but without bowl eligibility) in the second year of the transition.
So up until June 1, the earliest an FCS school could join the Sunbelt would be 2015. After June 1, the earliest an FCS school could join the Sunbelt would be 2016 (though that is an application date, not an announcement date).
I haven't seen the contract so don't know about after July 1 of this year, but UMass could certainly be announced for 2015 anytime before July 1 2014 and face a $250,000 exit fee rather than a $500,000 fee for an immediate exit. UMass could also wait until 2016 to join for no exit fee, if it is determined that getting the best value out of the CCG would require more than a year lead time.

If UMass is in the Sun Belt plans, I don't think either side would want to wait until 2016 to finalize an agreement. If this move is a solution for both institutions there really is no reason to wait.

The nominative $250k to the MAC for an early exit is also in no way punitive but only administrative. Conferences are made up of their member schools and $20k/school from this fee would only go to help offset some cosmetic changes.