(09-08-2010 11:15 AM)YouCanUseaMint Wrote: Arkstfan, I know you are viewed in the highest regard over here, but please explain how I have a math issue. Would you agree the two teams most likely to leave in some sort of fashion are LaTech and Hawaii? I am well aware that the WAC is on thin ice, but I also think Hawaii won't go independent and CUSA will pass up on LaTech - again. The WAC will have to reload with FCS teams, and bobcat fans are hoping Texas State is one of them.
Texas State stood down in the past because we simply weren't ready. I truly believe in this go-around, we have set ourselves up to afford whatever comes our way. Our budget today is $14-$15 million, which isn't even bottom of the Belt. By 2012, the student fees will be maxed out at $20 p/ hour and the budget will be even greater. Like I said, that rumor came from a LaTech poster. Even our AD has gone off record saying it isn't true.
WAC isn't an FBS conference unless there are two more members. There is no assurance that the BCS won't treat the WAC as a step-child while new programs transition (as it did with the Sun Belt not giving it a share comporable to say the MAC). That is a huge drop in league revenue available to be distributed.
If any of the six depart, all sports lose automatic bids absent special dispensation. SJSU has been on shakey ground in the past, Hawaii has talked for years of independence, La.Tech is actively seeking other affiliation. USU is actively working for other affiliation as well. So four of six are known to be trying to depart or have had financial issues that place their long-term health in doubt. Idaho had past issues trying to get approval for Sun Belt membership and given the financial state of the WAC, may not be permitted to carry on and will be under tight financial scrutiny no matter the outcome.
In 2008-09 Louisiana Tech received from the NCAA and the WAC $1,463,501.00. They paid $417,304.00 in dues (primarily to the WAC, NCAA fees are small, and unliked Sun Belt, WAC doesn't withhold any portion of money for league operations, they distribute all then invoice each school their share of league operations, Sun Belt does nominal dues paid after retaining a portion of income). They spent $2,554,014.00 on team travel. So Tech netted $1,046,197 in conference and NCAA revenue. After deducting travel costs which are primarily related to league travel they lost $1,507,817.
Compare that to their neighbor just down the road in Monroe.
Conference and NCAA revenue was $719,240.00. Memberships and dues were $176,329.00. They netted $542,911. The team travel was $1,072,118.00 making for a loss of $529,207.
HOWEVER
By the time Texas State or whomever could join the WAC, the WAC distribution to members will likely fall by at least a third while operating costs should remain constant unless they give up one or more bowl ties. Travel costs may improve slightly but overall the entire deal is a financial hit.
For Texas State to move up and into the WAC, beyond adding the required scholarships, increasing recruiting budget to be competitive, increasing salaries to be competitive, and adding additional opportunities for women for Title IX compliance to offset the additional 22 opportunities for males, you are looking at an increase in annual travel expenditures vs. the Southland that are not offset by conference revenue of $1 million to $1.25 million and that assumes that Texas State is not required to buy-in membership to the WAC. In the prior expansion, the three schools paid $750,000 each spread over three years.
By the time you factor in the added costs of merely being I-A and add to it the peculiar costs of being FBS in the WAC, you are paying a very high premium merely to be FBS, while running the risk that one of the remaining six leaves and you are stranded outside of the BCS system and without the ability to honestly tell recruits that winning the conference means an NCAA appearance in any sport.
