Thanks for the podcast link. Here's his response to question about the CUSA meeting:

Quote:Yeah, it wasn't much. I left from Nacogdoches, Texas to Dallas on Sunday. And we had a dinner with ADs, some of the campus CEOs, there were some sponsors there, and some of the Conference USA leadership. On Monday, we met and a big topic of discussion .. there was a television committee for Conference USA and I was one of the people on it. And we were going to analyze, there was a few groups that Conference USA has considered hiring, just like the WAC did and every other conference does to represent them in the upcoming television negotiations. So we heard multiple proposals. Then everybody kind of got to say their piece on who they though might be the best firm to represent us. OK.

The second discussion was hey we are at nine, where do we want to go from here? Do we want to go to ten or stay at nine? What does everybody think? That vote will be taken by the existing membership of which we are not. But they certainly wanted to hear what we had to say. And pretty early on in a free flowing discussion we said, "Hey, look. It would probably behoove us to get a consultant, a media consultant on board, and then ask them. Hey, this is the question we ar grappling with. Nine or ten? Here are the institutions that could be a tenth full member or football-only member and how do you see that affecting these negotiations." I think that is the smart play. We also said we wanted to hear from Dave Brown. I have talked about Dave Brown a bunch of times. He is our scheduling guru for gridiron and football. And I know with a football landscape is the SEC going to go to night conference games? What do you think will be easier? What do you think will be better for our league? A 9-team football league or a 10-team football league. So we want to hear from those two experts before we take that next step as a conference and really getting into it. But I really think that will take place soon.

And then the other thing we discussed is with the new schools, some of the sports might need to find a new home. For us, mens tennis, womens swimming and diving. Right now we have to have six in the league. Would we merge with another league? Would we join another league? Would another league give us those sports? So similar to like in the Western Athletic Conference (WAC). You know swimming & diving. Well NAU is in our conference. We would just accept them as an affiliate member. In mens soccer, there are a number of affiliates. Incarnate Word and Air Force, etc. What have you, I believe. So we have affiliates and there would some sports. And that was pretty much it before we hopped back on the airplane and went home. But it was good to see everybody face to face. This was the first time that I met the new AD at Florida International. It was the first time I had met the Jacksonville State Athletic Director. So I think it was good to make those connections and see each other in person.

Interesting that he mentioned a FB only member as a consideration.

Besides UMASS and UCONN who both seem doubtful-- WHO else could be considered for FB only??

same 'ole names...

--- NDSU

--- Missouri State ( FB only?)- would they/we even look at that angle?

Long, long shots:

--- Chattanooga (again FB only angle) Their new 2 mil. buyout might be less if only leaving for FB

--- Tenn. St.--- (FB only) a real long shot

I am talking FB ONLY in this post. FB ONLY.

Who did I leave out that could be a FB ONLY possibility??

(02-03-2022 05:44 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Interesting that he mentioned a FB only member as a consideration.

Besides UMASS and UCONN who both seem doubtful-- WHO else could be considered for FB only??

same 'ole names...

--- NDSU

--- Missouri State ( FB only?)- would they/we even look at that angle?

Long, long shots:

--- Chattanooga (again FB only angle) Their new 2 mil. buyout might be less if only leaving for FB

--- Tenn. St.--- (FB only) a real long shot

I am talking FB ONLY in this post. FB ONLY.

Who did I leave out that could be a FB ONLY possibility??

It seems obvious to me that UMASS and UCONN are the possibilities. I don't think they are doubtful. There is a video of the UMASS AD and he shows a CUSA document they put together specifically to join the conference.

That was a FLIMSY document UMASS put together. I was able to view it on some website. IMO those two are unlikely. The whole go to ten OR FB only idea may be shot down by consultants or the five legacy members. But it is being viewed as an OPTION. UCONN's schedule is pretty full thru 2025-very full. They MIGHT be available by fall 2026-- IF they did a lot of shifting-- so I don't think that is happening.

UMASS would be a bad add IMHO.

(02-03-2022 06:22 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  That was a FLIMSY document UMASS put together. I was able to view it on some website. IMO those two are unlikely. The whole go to ten OR FB only idea may be shot down by consultants or the five legacy members. But it is being viewed as an OPTION. UCONN's schedule is pretty full thru 2025-very full. They MIGHT be available by fall 2026-- IF they did a lot of shifting-- so I don't think that is happening.

UMASS would be a bad add IMHO.

I don't think UConn was interested so I'm guessing they are not part of the consideration.

UMass is obviously very interested but as you say, they are not a good add unless their football becomes decent to good. Maybe tv will say invite them but I doubt it.

The football only adds that would be positives for the conference imo are:

1. Army (I realize this isn't happening but it would be great).

2. NDSU (not near the impact of Army but still a positive).

3. ?.

(02-03-2022 06:44 PM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(02-03-2022 06:22 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  That was a FLIMSY document UMASS put together. I was able to view it on some website. IMO those two are unlikely. The whole go to ten OR FB only idea may be shot down by consultants or the five legacy members. But it is being viewed as an OPTION. UCONN's schedule is pretty full thru 2025-very full. They MIGHT be available by fall 2026-- IF they did a lot of shifting-- so I don't think that is happening.

UMASS would be a bad add IMHO.

I don't think UConn was interested so I'm guessing they are not part of the consideration.

UMass is obviously very interested but as you say, they are not a good add unless their football becomes decent to good. Maybe tv will say invite them but I doubt it.

The football only adds that would be positives for the conference imo are:

1. Army (I realize this isn't happening but it would be great).

2. NDSU (not near the impact of Army but still a positive).

3. ?.

‘Nova?

I think NDSU is probably a real possibility. It wouldn’t surprise me if the commissioner has reached out to several schools informally to gauge interest and it’s no secret that the the most vocal among NDSUs base, including the ones writing checks, wants to move up. The issue has long been finding a conference interested with a close enough footprint for a conference home that would include the non football sports. But if they could leave their non football sports in the Summit League, then moving their football program wouldn’t be a problem. If they were offered football only I am 100 percent sure NDSU would take it.


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I am just glad to hear that they aren't considering going to 12. It does sound like they have a couple of candidates in mind should the 10th be recommended.

I am disappointed to hear how early in the media rights process they clearly are. Just now looking for consultants? Hopefully they pick someone who knows what they are doing and not just collecting a fee for a rubber stamp.

(02-03-2022 05:44 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Interesting that he mentioned a FB only member as a consideration.

Besides UMASS and UCONN who both seem doubtful-- WHO else could be considered for FB only??

same 'ole names...

--- NDSU

--- Missouri State ( FB only?)- would they/we even look at that angle?

Long, long shots:

--- Chattanooga (again FB only angle) Their new 2 mil. buyout might be less if only leaving for FB

--- Tenn. St.--- (FB only) a real long shot

I am talking FB ONLY in this post. FB ONLY.

Who did I leave out that could be a FB ONLY possibility??

Notre Dame

The problem with NDSU is they don't fit the geographic footprint and add to travel. They may help CUSA a few years in football but the minute the Mountain West comes calling they will flee the conference in a second. I would father get a SE/SW school that wants to stay.

(02-03-2022 09:55 PM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  The problem with NDSU is they don't fit the geographic footprint and add to travel. They may help CUSA a few years in football but the minute the Mountain West comes calling they will flee the conference in a second. I would father get a SE/SW school that wants to stay.

Very fair point. But we might have to play the short term gain if we ever want a shot at the 6th conference champion spot when the CFB expands to 12. Right now there stands to be a sizable gulf between the AAC, Sunbelt, MW and us. We have to look at teams who will be able to come in and compete sooner rather than later. NDSU has 16 national titles, 3 college game day appearances and already funds their program on a FBS level. I think that’s a team that you accept the travel headache for. Even if they’ll bolt at the first opportunity. Hell I’d look at all the northern plains schools. The Montana twins and South Dakota State. The only reason those schools are still FCS is location. Put those four in the middle of Mississippi and they’d have been FBS years ago.


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(02-03-2022 10:06 PM)coogkat14 Wrote:  

(02-03-2022 09:55 PM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  The problem with NDSU is they don't fit the geographic footprint and add to travel. They may help CUSA a few years in football but the minute the Mountain West comes calling they will flee the conference in a second. I would father get a SE/SW school that wants to stay.

Very fair point. But we might have to play the short term gain if we ever want a shot at the 6th conference champion spot when the CFB expands to 12. Right now there stands to be a sizable gulf between the AAC, Sunbelt, MW and us. We have to look at teams who will be able to come in and compete sooner rather than later. NDSU has 16 national titles, 3 college game day appearances and already funds their program on a FBS level. I think that’s a team that you accept the travel headache for. Even if they’ll bolt at the first opportunity. Hell I’d look at all the northern plains schools. The Montana twins and South Dakota State. The only reason those schools are still FCS is location. Put those four in the middle of Mississippi and they’d have been FBS years ago.


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The travel to NDSU for football would mean only 1 trip every other year for each school. No big deal at all.

I am sure a football only contract could carry a lot of special provisions to cover any loss if they moved to the MWC.

Also I am almost positive that UMASS PAID the MAC a yearly fee for the privilege of being a FB only in their conference. It was either 1 or 2 million.

(02-03-2022 09:55 PM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  The problem with NDSU is they don't fit the geographic footprint and add to travel. They may help CUSA a few years in football but the minute the Mountain West comes calling they will flee the conference in a second. I would father get a SE/SW school that wants to stay.

Their problem is they don't fit the MWC or CUSA or any current G5 conference footprint. They add a great football reputation and have a solid fanbase and would be worth a football only invite since the travel for the rest of us would be so infrequent.

(02-03-2022 11:23 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  I am sure a football only contract could carry a lot of special provisions to cover any loss if they moved to the MWC.

Also I am almost positive that UMASS PAID the MAC a yearly fee for the privilege of being a FB only in their conference. It was either 1 or 2 million.

This old article describes UMass membership costs and benefits in the MAC. Contracts took into consideration that the MAC with UMass had 2 football only members with Temple in as well.

Back in 2011 UMass paid $500,000 entrance fee and an annual dues of $500,000, which all MAC members paid each year. I believe all fbs conferences have an annual dues amount.

There was also a sunset clause that kicked in if one of the football only members left and an exit fee.

http://collegesportsinfo.com/2011/04/19/...de-to-fbs/

(02-04-2022 11:30 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(02-03-2022 11:23 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  I am sure a football only contract could carry a lot of special provisions to cover any loss if they moved to the MWC.

Also I am almost positive that UMASS PAID the MAC a yearly fee for the privilege of being a FB only in their conference. It was either 1 or 2 million.

This old article describes UMass membership costs and benefits in the MAC. Contracts took into consideration that the MAC with UMass had 2 football only members with Temple in as well.

Back in 2011 UMass paid $500,000 entrance fee and an annual dues of $500,000, which all MAC members paid each year. I believe all fbs conferences have an annual dues amount.

There was also a sunset clause that kicked in if one of the football only members left and an exit fee.

http://collegesportsinfo.com/2011/04/19/...de-to-fbs/

One correction. The annual dues membership in the MAC is $100,000, not $500,000.

(02-03-2022 09:55 PM)sstaedtler88 Wrote:  The problem with NDSU is they don't fit the geographic footprint and add to travel. They may help CUSA a few years in football but the minute the Mountain West comes calling they will flee the conference in a second. I would father get a SE/SW school that wants to stay.

Although they are currently bad at most of their athletic attempts, they have a nice endowment and a decent media market in the Golden Triangle: Lamar

They moved to the WAC with the Texas four earlier, so they might work and it would be a perfect geographic fit.

No thank you. One LU in the league is enough.

(01-28-2022 11:45 AM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  

(01-28-2022 10:19 AM)MinerInWisconsin Wrote:  

(01-28-2022 09:08 AM)gdunn Wrote:  

(01-27-2022 07:03 PM)THUNDERStruck73 Wrote:  Pretty sure CUSA left Espn for CBS sports, didnt they?

No they signed a deal with Fox Sports, ESPN sued CUSA because it was done without giving ESPN a chance to counter as per their contract. Fox Deal ended and they jumped to CBSSports.

Banowsky screwed up. In 2011 CUSA had deals with FOX and CBS at about $7M each or $14M total for a 12 school conference.

Big time. And when he realized it, he did the ol' softshoe out the door exit stage left.

...I remember the 'salad days' of CUSA - 1.0 - where there was a deal with a network named College Sports TV (CSTV). I remember adding the local cable 'sports tier' to the bill just to get that channel, which did show quite a bit of C-USA Fball and Bball.. over time tho, I am pretty sure that CBS bought that channel and it became CBS Sports Channel or whatever... ...I guess that was part of that CBS/FOX combo deal?