(03-19-2014 11:01 AM)Liberty Fan Wrote: TV deals are still in the drivers seat. I noticed ODU has been warming up to Liberty lately? Could it be because the LFSN's has the ability to cover and feed ODU games to FOX Sports. I don't know? As described by Rojogrande in the C-USA thread, WKU's production capabilities were extremely valuable. Liberty's LFSN could greatly benefit a conference, teams close by and a nationwide TV network just like WKU's did.
If Fox really lands the CUSA deal I see them pressuring CUSA to go after ARK State and Louisiana Lafayette. Belt will need teams for sure. Probability Liberty to the Sun Belt and JMU to the MAC still. But it would be interesting if Liberty and JMU both ended up in the Belt, with the LFSN providing TV coverage of several JMU and APP State games for the conference. Not sure how having both schools affects East and West concerns though.
If the SBC loses Ark State and Louisiana Lafayette why would it need JMU and Liberty?
I do not see South Alabama, Troy, ULM, Texas State, Ark -LR or Texas Arlington voting for Liberty and JMU. I am assuming App State, Ga Southern and Ga State would vote for Liberty. The math would mean 7 out of 9 would have to vote for Liberty. I see six nays for Liberty.
Adding JMU and Liberty does not help the travel budgets for the non football sports.
Missouri State is the clear choice for invite. Then the next move would to restart Texas Arlington Football.
At that point the football conference would look like
East
App State
Ga State
Georgia Southern
South Alabama
Troy
West
Idaho
Missouri State
New Mexico
Texas Arlington
Texas State
This allows a 9 game conference schedule with three OOC games to schedule against regional SEC, ACC, CUSA, and Big 12 teams. These games will provide more exposure and financial impact for our teams than playing games against JMU and Liberty. The money comparison does not add up.
Adding additional teams:
I believe the SBC should take a long hard look at Kennesaw State. Kennesaw State is a natural rival for Ga State and Georgia Southern. KSU keeps ATL in play just in case CUSA pilfers Ga State one day. In addition, KSU is easy travel for Troy.
That leaves one spot open... JMU or Liberty. I don't either is the choice.
Coastal Carolina and Chattanooga have more ups for the SBC than JMU or Liberty.
1. They are in the region.
2. Brings South Carolina and Tennessee into our TV contract
Regional Rivalries and games of interest Chatanooga --> Ga State, Kennesaw State, UAB, MTSU,Tennessee, Kentucky, Charlotte, App State, Clemson, and Georgia
Regional Rivalries and games of interest Coastal Caroina --> Ga Southern, East Carolina, Clemson, and South Carolina.
Plus it will not be long before UNF and FGCU enter the picture.
This is an eastern perspective. From the west the considerations would be for Lamar and S.F. Austin.
Liberty and JMU should not even be a consideration for the SBC. Liberty and JMU are for the MAC to decide upon as additions.