(03-01-2024 09:49 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:47 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:22 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:19 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(02-29-2024 12:53 AM)R40 Wrote:  It doesn't have anything to do with the future of conference schools. It is that the MAC offers a regional conference versus the ridiculousness of CUSA which nobody would design on purpose. CUSA just doesn't have anything to offer WKU any longer.

Yes but the CUSA that WKU so badly wanted in already had UTEP, UNT, RICE, and UTSA. How has this conference not actually become more compact and regional than it was beforep

WKU was just trying to be a Division I program. They did what they could do. They were not invited to the MAC. They are now invited. The money is better. Go with the money.

WKU has not been invited to the MAC. Do you just make crap up?

It appears you're spending of lot of effort on here trying to pump up WKU to leave thus making room for whatever second rate school you support. WKU IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE except to FIU for a basketball game tomorrow.

Wake up to reality. I said with UMass and I will say it again. I am your reality check.

Nobody really wanted UMASs and frankly I still don’t and now you are acting like UMASS is going to make the MAC less of a bottom feeder than they already are. U need a reality check UMASS just made the MAC worse or equally bad. It’s sad when a rebuilding CUSA already outranked them in year one.

(03-01-2024 10:00 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:49 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:47 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:22 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:19 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  Yes but the CUSA that WKU so badly wanted in already had UTEP, UNT, RICE, and UTSA. How has this conference not actually become more compact and regional than it was beforep

WKU was just trying to be a Division I program. They did what they could do. They were not invited to the MAC. They are now invited. The money is better. Go with the money.

WKU has not been invited to the MAC. Do you just make crap up?

It appears you're spending of lot of effort on here trying to pump up WKU to leave thus making room for whatever second rate school you support. WKU IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE except to FIU for a basketball game tomorrow.

Wake up to reality. I said with UMass and I will say it again. I am your reality check.

Nobody really wanted UMASs and frankly I still don’t and now you are acting like UMASS is going to make the MAC less of a bottom feeder than they already are. U need a reality check UMASS just made the MAC worse or equally bad. It’s sad when a rebuilding CUSA already outranked them in year one.

You don't understand how any of this works.

(03-01-2024 10:03 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 10:00 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:49 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:47 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:22 AM)R40 Wrote:  WKU was just trying to be a Division I program. They did what they could do. They were not invited to the MAC. They are now invited. The money is better. Go with the money.

WKU has not been invited to the MAC. Do you just make crap up?

It appears you're spending of lot of effort on here trying to pump up WKU to leave thus making room for whatever second rate school you support. WKU IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE except to FIU for a basketball game tomorrow.

Wake up to reality. I said with UMass and I will say it again. I am your reality check.

Nobody really wanted UMASs and frankly I still don’t and now you are acting like UMASS is going to make the MAC less of a bottom feeder than they already are. U need a reality check UMASS just made the MAC worse or equally bad. It’s sad when a rebuilding CUSA already outranked them in year one.

You don't understand how any of this works.

And u are just a blowhole everyone should put on ignore

(03-01-2024 10:28 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 10:03 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 10:00 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:49 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:47 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  WKU has not been invited to the MAC. Do you just make crap up?

It appears you're spending of lot of effort on here trying to pump up WKU to leave thus making room for whatever second rate school you support. WKU IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE except to FIU for a basketball game tomorrow.

Wake up to reality. I said with UMass and I will say it again. I am your reality check.

Nobody really wanted UMASs and frankly I still don’t and now you are acting like UMASS is going to make the MAC less of a bottom feeder than they already are. U need a reality check UMASS just made the MAC worse or equally bad. It’s sad when a rebuilding CUSA already outranked them in year one.

You don't understand how any of this works.

And u are just a blowhole everyone should put on ignore

Post of the year

Tarleton is always looking for attention any way they can get it; no publicity is bad publicity. It extends to their graduates, I guess.

(02-27-2024 01:25 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Cost for WKU to leave CUSA and join the MAC is about 4-5 million (estimate).

Two years worth of conference distributions (the departure fee), GOR, entrance fee.

The only revenue area where the MAC may bring in More revenue would be the Media Deal.

Even if it were $500,000 more a year ---that's 8-10 years to break even.

Yes--this is a Simplified analysis. But where is the Big revenue incentive to switch leagues?

Exposure on ESPN? You are switching October weeknights for November weeknights.

On the subject of the MAC's media deal...

I've seen a LOT of people (both on here and on twitter and other social media) mention the MAC's new deal (to be announced in 2027) could be a factor in WKU's decision.

And while that's certainly not false on its face -- if ESPN suddenly decided MACtion were worth $10M per school, the Toppers would be foolish not to consider an invitation -- none of the people talking about the MAC deal have pointed out that CUSA's current deal expires only ONE year later, in 2028.

The current deal was negotiated when CUSA was just recovering from the verge of oblivion. JSU and SHSU were just about to enter their first year in FBS, and Kennesaw State had only just accepted an invitation to join and begin their transition. Delaware wasn't even on the table.

And let's not forget the whole Facebook/Stadium deal the conference was coming out of. It's not like the conference had tons of CBSSN and ESPN ratings data working in our favor.

Contrast that with what we'll bring to the negotiating table in our final year of this deal in 2027-28:

• It will be JSU and SHSU's fourth year as full FBS members.
• It will be KSU's third year as full FBS members.
• It will be Delaware's second year as full FBS members.
• Even if an FCS school is invited this year, they'll be full FBS members by then.
• Liberty competed in the CFP in the 2023-24 season. While further playoff appearances are pure speculation at this point, it's unlikely CUSA's football strength will go DOWN in coming years, as the former FCS schools fully adapt to life in FBS. Additionally, other teams in the conference have made coaching changes and other commitments which, if successful, could push them higher in the rankings.
• CUSA's ratings, especially on midweek games, were as high or higher than other G5 conferences in comparable time slots on comparable networks. Again, while there are no guarantees this trend will continue, Year One of the current deal showed promise.
  

Basically, if WKU stays for at least a couple years more, the transitioning teams don't blow it, and at least some of the current FBS programs improve, CUSA will be approaching the 2028 negotiations from a place of relative strength.

Since WKU's administration will be privy to these negotiations, they'll be able to compare CUSA's new 2028 deal directly with the MAC's 2027 package.

And if trends continue, this could mean WKU will remain with us for a long time to come.

(03-01-2024 12:46 PM)whupemall Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 01:25 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Cost for WKU to leave CUSA and join the MAC is about 4-5 million (estimate).

Two years worth of conference distributions (the departure fee), GOR, entrance fee.

The only revenue area where the MAC may bring in More revenue would be the Media Deal.

Even if it were $500,000 more a year ---that's 8-10 years to break even.

Yes--this is a Simplified analysis. But where is the Big revenue incentive to switch leagues?

Exposure on ESPN? You are switching October weeknights for November weeknights.

On the subject of the MAC's media deal...

I've seen a LOT of people (both on here and on twitter and other social media) mention the MAC's new deal (to be announced in 2027) could be a factor in WKU's decision.

And while that's certainly not false on its face -- if ESPN suddenly decided MACtion were worth $10M per school, the Toppers would be foolish not to consider an invitation -- none of the people talking about the MAC deal have pointed out that CUSA's current deal expires only ONE year later, in 2028.

The current deal was negotiated when CUSA was just recovering from the verge of oblivion. JSU and SHSU were just about to enter their first year in FBS, and Kennesaw State had only just accepted an invitation to join and begin their transition. Delaware wasn't even on the table.

And let's not forget the whole Facebook/Stadium deal the conference was coming out of. It's not like the conference had tons of CBSSN and ESPN ratings data working in our favor.

Contrast that with what we'll bring to the negotiating table in our final year of this deal in 2027-28:

• It will be JSU and SHSU's fourth year as full FBS members.
• It will be KSU's third year as full FBS members.
• It will be Delaware's second year as full FBS members.
• Even if an FCS school is invited this year, they'll be full FBS members by then.
• Liberty competed in the CFP in the 2023-24 season. While further playoff appearances are pure speculation at this point, it's unlikely CUSA's football strength will go DOWN in coming years, as the former FCS schools fully adapt to life in FBS. Additionally, other teams in the conference have made coaching changes and other commitments which, if successful, could push them higher in the rankings.
• CUSA's ratings, especially on midweek games, were as high or higher than other G5 conferences in comparable time slots on comparable networks. Again, while there are no guarantees this trend will continue, Year One of the current deal showed promise.
  

Basically, if WKU stays for at least a couple years more, the transitioning teams don't blow it, and at least some of the current FBS programs improve, CUSA will be approaching the 2028 negotiations from a place of relative strength.

Since WKU's administration will be privy to these negotiations, they'll be able to compare CUSA's new 2028 deal directly with the MAC's 2027 package.

And if trends continue, this could mean WKU will remain with us for a long time to come.

That could certainly happen. I think the continuing fear is what happens to CUSA membership between now and the renegotiation.

Will membership remain the same? Is the deal worsened if FBS members leave and are replaced by FCS callups? How many FCS callups have equal value to existing members in the eyes of media partners? How many games on major linear networks are guaranteed?

As it stands today, I think the MAC probably has the upper hand on media negotiations. They have years of historical data for media partners to reference and know what they are getting for their money.

CUSA has great potential to improve their value and subsequent payout but CUSA also has the potential to be worth less which is why our current deal was limited to 5 years. Partners are hesitant to commit long term without knowing who they will be in bed with.

(03-01-2024 12:59 PM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 12:46 PM)whupemall Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 01:25 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Cost for WKU to leave CUSA and join the MAC is about 4-5 million (estimate).

Two years worth of conference distributions (the departure fee), GOR, entrance fee.

The only revenue area where the MAC may bring in More revenue would be the Media Deal.

Even if it were $500,000 more a year ---that's 8-10 years to break even.

Yes--this is a Simplified analysis. But where is the Big revenue incentive to switch leagues?

Exposure on ESPN? You are switching October weeknights for November weeknights.

On the subject of the MAC's media deal...

I've seen a LOT of people (both on here and on twitter and other social media) mention the MAC's new deal (to be announced in 2027) could be a factor in WKU's decision.

And while that's certainly not false on its face -- if ESPN suddenly decided MACtion were worth $10M per school, the Toppers would be foolish not to consider an invitation -- none of the people talking about the MAC deal have pointed out that CUSA's current deal expires only ONE year later, in 2028.

The current deal was negotiated when CUSA was just recovering from the verge of oblivion. JSU and SHSU were just about to enter their first year in FBS, and Kennesaw State had only just accepted an invitation to join and begin their transition. Delaware wasn't even on the table.

And let's not forget the whole Facebook/Stadium deal the conference was coming out of. It's not like the conference had tons of CBSSN and ESPN ratings data working in our favor.

Contrast that with what we'll bring to the negotiating table in our final year of this deal in 2027-28:

• It will be JSU and SHSU's fourth year as full FBS members.
• It will be KSU's third year as full FBS members.
• It will be Delaware's second year as full FBS members.
• Even if an FCS school is invited this year, they'll be full FBS members by then.
• Liberty competed in the CFP in the 2023-24 season. While further playoff appearances are pure speculation at this point, it's unlikely CUSA's football strength will go DOWN in coming years, as the former FCS schools fully adapt to life in FBS. Additionally, other teams in the conference have made coaching changes and other commitments which, if successful, could push them higher in the rankings.
• CUSA's ratings, especially on midweek games, were as high or higher than other G5 conferences in comparable time slots on comparable networks. Again, while there are no guarantees this trend will continue, Year One of the current deal showed promise.
  

Basically, if WKU stays for at least a couple years more, the transitioning teams don't blow it, and at least some of the current FBS programs improve, CUSA will be approaching the 2028 negotiations from a place of relative strength.

Since WKU's administration will be privy to these negotiations, they'll be able to compare CUSA's new 2028 deal directly with the MAC's 2027 package.

And if trends continue, this could mean WKU will remain with us for a long time to come.

That could certainly happen. I think the continuing fear is what happens to CUSA membership between now and the renegotiation.

Will membership remain the same? Is the deal worsened if FBS members leave and are replaced by FCS callups? How many FCS callups have equal value to existing members in the eyes of media partners? How many games on major linear networks are guaranteed?

As it stands today, I think the MAC probably has the upper hand on media negotiations. They have years of historical data for media partners to reference and know what they are getting for their money.

CUSA has great potential to improve their value and subsequent payout but CUSA also has the potential to be worth less which is why our current deal was limited to 5 years. Partners are hesitant to commit long term without knowing who they will be in bed with.

The 5 year deal for CUSA is more likely due to CUSA not wanting a long term deal at the amount we are receiving. We were not in a position of strength when CUSA negotiated. If CUSA remains intact then the next deal should be better.

(03-01-2024 10:28 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 10:03 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 10:00 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:49 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:47 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  WKU has not been invited to the MAC. Do you just make crap up?

It appears you're spending of lot of effort on here trying to pump up WKU to leave thus making room for whatever second rate school you support. WKU IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE except to FIU for a basketball game tomorrow.

Wake up to reality. I said with UMass and I will say it again. I am your reality check.

Nobody really wanted UMASs and frankly I still don’t and now you are acting like UMASS is going to make the MAC less of a bottom feeder than they already are. U need a reality check UMASS just made the MAC worse or equally bad. It’s sad when a rebuilding CUSA already outranked them in year one.

You don't understand how any of this works.

And u are just a blowhole everyone should put on ignore

Everyone likes surprises. If you want to have no idea what is happening as usual that is the best option.

(03-01-2024 12:59 PM)freshtop Wrote:  That could certainly happen. I think the continuing fear is what happens to CUSA membership between now and the renegotiation.

Will membership remain the same? Is the deal worsened if FBS members leave and are replaced by FCS callups? How many FCS callups have equal value to existing members in the eyes of media partners? How many games on major linear networks are guaranteed?

As it stands today, I think the MAC probably has the upper hand on media negotiations. They have years of historical data for media partners to reference and know what they are getting for their money.

CUSA has great potential to improve their value and subsequent payout but CUSA also has the potential to be worth less which is why our current deal was limited to 5 years. Partners are hesitant to commit long term without knowing who they will be in bed with.

No doubt. CUSA is trending in the right direction right now, but we only have one year of data for the current membership. (We'll throw Kenny and Della in with everyone else just to make things easy.)

Next fall, NMSU could collapse without Coach Kill. JSU could collapse with Zion Webb out of eligibility and several key assistants gone to P5 schools. Liberty could collapse under the moral weight of being a diploma mill preying on old ladies. (I'm KIDDING guys.) WKU's fortunes could continue to stumble. SHSU's second half resurgence from last season could stall out and regress. MTSU, UTEP, and La Tech could each continue their slide. FIU could continue to wallow in the cellar, fighting it out with Kennesaw, who fails to improve on their recent history.

Our ratings tank because no one wants to watch the slop we're putting on the field.

I mean, what I'm describing here would be an absolute worst case scenario, but it COULD happen. If not next year, then the year after. And that's without bringing the spectre of further realignment into the picture.

Even if it doesn't happen to everyone, if it happens to just 2-3 schools expected to content, or if the struggling/rebuilding teams just can't get anything rolling, it could hurt our conference power rankings enough that we end up below the MAC and every other G5 in both strength and broadcast ratings.

Our best case scenario would have all of our top teams roll our nonconference opponents (along with a surprise or two from our lower half), and have a team once again in the running for the G5 playoff spot.

Reality will likely be somewhere in the middle. We just need it to be closer to the "best case" than the "worst case", and maintain that same trajectory for 3-4 years.

There are no guarantees. But overall, I like where we stand.

(03-01-2024 03:59 PM)whupemall Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 12:59 PM)freshtop Wrote:  That could certainly happen. I think the continuing fear is what happens to CUSA membership between now and the renegotiation.

Will membership remain the same? Is the deal worsened if FBS members leave and are replaced by FCS callups? How many FCS callups have equal value to existing members in the eyes of media partners? How many games on major linear networks are guaranteed?

As it stands today, I think the MAC probably has the upper hand on media negotiations. They have years of historical data for media partners to reference and know what they are getting for their money.

CUSA has great potential to improve their value and subsequent payout but CUSA also has the potential to be worth less which is why our current deal was limited to 5 years. Partners are hesitant to commit long term without knowing who they will be in bed with.

No doubt. CUSA is trending in the right direction right now, but we only have one year of data for the current membership. (We'll throw Kenny and Della in with everyone else just to make things easy.)

Next fall, NMSU could collapse without Coach Kill. JSU could collapse with Zion Webb out of eligibility and several key assistants gone to P5 schools. Liberty could collapse under the moral weight of being a diploma mill preying on old ladies. (I'm KIDDING guys.) WKU's fortunes could continue to stumble. SHSU's second half resurgence from last season could stall out and regress. MTSU, UTEP, and La Tech could each continue their slide. FIU could continue to wallow in the cellar, fighting it out with Kennesaw, who fails to improve on their recent history.

Our ratings tank because no one wants to watch the slop we're putting on the field.

I mean, what I'm describing here would be an absolute worst case scenario, but it COULD happen. If not next year, then the year after. And that's without bringing the spectre of further realignment into the picture.

Even if it doesn't happen to everyone, if it happens to just 2-3 schools expected to content, or if the struggling/rebuilding teams just can't get anything rolling, it could hurt our conference power rankings enough that we end up below the MAC and every other G5 in both strength and broadcast ratings.

Our best case scenario would have all of our top teams roll our nonconference opponents (along with a surprise or two from our lower half), and have a team once again in the running for the G5 playoff spot.

Reality will likely be somewhere in the middle. We just need it to be closer to the "best case" than the "worst case", and maintain that same trajectory for 3-4 years.

There are no guarantees. But overall, I like where we stand.

I doubt the floor falls out completely for most the conference. Too many programs that have winning traditions or are snack dab in the middle of fertile recruiting grounds. I think it is more likely that Liberty wins or threatens to win the CFP bid often enough over the next handful of years to almost force the AAC to invite them. We reload with an FCS and our overall value drops right as it comes time to negotiate.

If the AAC is gutted by the ACC then maybe that move isn't attractive anymore, who knows, lots of variables and possibilities. Many are good for CUSA, in my opinion at least as many are bad for CUSA. Those are outcomes that are good for individual programs and for FCS programs looking to move up, but won't likely strengthen the conference.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Just pointing out our media deal is worth 200k per school more than the MAC’s. That was without proving our worth and not being a partner for a while. Our media deal comes up one year after theirs. I fully expect ours will be the same or slightly more per school once we get our new deal.

(03-02-2024 08:19 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  Just pointing out our media deal is worth 200k per school more than the MAC’s. That was without proving our worth and not being a partner for a while. Our media deal comes up one year after theirs. I fully expect ours will be the same or slightly more per school once we get our new deal.

Completely agree. I really would be shocked if WKU left for the MAC.

Don't have anything against the MAC. Admittedly, it is comparable to CUSA in many ways but CUSA is currently slightly better than MAC in FB, MBB, WBB & spring sports. Can't conceive how Western would benefit from going to the MAC. Don't expect it to happen over the next 2-3 years.

(03-02-2024 08:19 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  Just pointing out our media deal is worth 200k per school more than the MAC’s. That was without proving our worth and not being a partner for a while. Our media deal comes up one year after theirs. I fully expect ours will be the same or slightly more per school once we get our new deal.

Great point. I think our ceiling is much higher than the MAC. I think that the addition of Delaware improves the overall quality of the conference far more than UMass would have. If you compare things like finances, athletic success and fan support, it’s not even close. Delaware has the potential to bring a lot more viewers to CUSA. UMass sits in a region where most sports fans follow professional sports and not collegiate sports. I have no idea what the conference will do about expansion, but I would assume we go to 12. If the next addition or additions (if WKU leaves) continue to be positive additions, I think our next media deal will far exceed the MAC’s.

(03-02-2024 10:42 AM)3DogNight Wrote:  

(03-02-2024 08:19 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  Just pointing out our media deal is worth 200k per school more than the MAC’s. That was without proving our worth and not being a partner for a while. Our media deal comes up one year after theirs. I fully expect ours will be the same or slightly more per school once we get our new deal.

Great point. I think our ceiling is much higher than the MAC. I think that the addition of Delaware improves the overall quality of the conference far more than UMass would have. If you compare things like finances, athletic success and fan support, it’s not even close. Delaware has the potential to bring a lot more viewers to CUSA. UMass sits in a region where most sports fans follow professional sports and not collegiate sports. I have no idea what the conference will do about expansion, but I would assume we go to 12. If the next addition or additions (if WKU leaves) continue to be positive additions, I think our next media deal will far exceed the MAC’s.

I think EKU will be the MACs fall back plan if WKU says no. Either way I feel EKU might be moving up.

(03-02-2024 05:57 PM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(03-02-2024 10:42 AM)3DogNight Wrote:  

(03-02-2024 08:19 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  Just pointing out our media deal is worth 200k per school more than the MAC’s. That was without proving our worth and not being a partner for a while. Our media deal comes up one year after theirs. I fully expect ours will be the same or slightly more per school once we get our new deal.

Great point. I think our ceiling is much higher than the MAC. I think that the addition of Delaware improves the overall quality of the conference far more than UMass would have. If you compare things like finances, athletic success and fan support, it’s not even close. Delaware has the potential to bring a lot more viewers to CUSA. UMass sits in a region where most sports fans follow professional sports and not collegiate sports. I have no idea what the conference will do about expansion, but I would assume we go to 12. If the next addition or additions (if WKU leaves) continue to be positive additions, I think our next media deal will far exceed the MAC’s.

I think EKU will be the MACs fall back plan if WKU says no. Either way I feel EKU might be moving up.

You very well may be right. The MAC doesn’t have that many schools to choose from who are willing and ready to move up if they want to stay as regional as they are.

(03-02-2024 06:38 PM)3DogNight Wrote:  

(03-02-2024 05:57 PM)Ewglenn Wrote:  

(03-02-2024 10:42 AM)3DogNight Wrote:  

(03-02-2024 08:19 AM)Ewglenn Wrote:  Just pointing out our media deal is worth 200k per school more than the MAC’s. That was without proving our worth and not being a partner for a while. Our media deal comes up one year after theirs. I fully expect ours will be the same or slightly more per school once we get our new deal.

Great point. I think our ceiling is much higher than the MAC. I think that the addition of Delaware improves the overall quality of the conference far more than UMass would have. If you compare things like finances, athletic success and fan support, it’s not even close. Delaware has the potential to bring a lot more viewers to CUSA. UMass sits in a region where most sports fans follow professional sports and not collegiate sports. I have no idea what the conference will do about expansion, but I would assume we go to 12. If the next addition or additions (if WKU leaves) continue to be positive additions, I think our next media deal will far exceed the MAC’s.

I think EKU will be the MACs fall back plan if WKU says no. Either way I feel EKU might be moving up.

You very well may be right. The MAC doesn’t have that many schools to choose from who are willing and ready to move up if they want to stay as regional as they are.

Illinois State would be a very good add for the MAC, or another conference.

(02-29-2024 11:23 PM)freshtop Wrote:  

(02-29-2024 11:17 PM)EatEmUp11 Wrote:  Commentary on WKU and MAC from Joe Imel via Bowling Green Daily News:

https://www.bgdailynews.com/sports/wku-m...524a3.html

“This time around, WKU is in much more stable shape and probably not perched at the train station with its MAC bags packed.”

“A source close to the athletic administration verified that – not that WKU isn’t interested – but the university is just not clamoring for a relocation as it was during the near disintegration of CUSA…”

“If an invitation is extended, WKU will listen with interest, but it’s not nearly as anxious for a new home as it was less than a handful of years ago.”

This source makes it sound like Western would be reluctant to leave CUSA for the MAC at this point, and that interest in the MAC has waned.

There is certainly less of a fire under us this time. For one, CUSA has recovered well (for now and hopefully going forward). There is also a decent pot of money to be distributed for staying, and the longer we stay the lower the GoR breakage penalty.

I do not think we go to the MAC unless they can show us a new media deal with ESPN for a substantial pay increase. There are factors for and against them, but it will have to make long term sense in terms of dollars, otherwise it just isn't feasible.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

GREAT POST!!

(03-01-2024 12:46 PM)whupemall Wrote:  

(02-27-2024 01:25 AM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  Cost for WKU to leave CUSA and join the MAC is about 4-5 million (estimate).

Two years worth of conference distributions (the departure fee), GOR, entrance fee.

The only revenue area where the MAC may bring in More revenue would be the Media Deal.

Even if it were $500,000 more a year ---that's 8-10 years to break even.

Yes--this is a Simplified analysis. But where is the Big revenue incentive to switch leagues?

Exposure on ESPN? You are switching October weeknights for November weeknights.

On the subject of the MAC's media deal...

I've seen a LOT of people (both on here and on twitter and other social media) mention the MAC's new deal (to be announced in 2027) could be a factor in WKU's decision.

And while that's certainly not false on its face -- if ESPN suddenly decided MACtion were worth $10M per school, the Toppers would be foolish not to consider an invitation -- none of the people talking about the MAC deal have pointed out that CUSA's current deal expires only ONE year later, in 2028.

The current deal was negotiated when CUSA was just recovering from the verge of oblivion. JSU and SHSU were just about to enter their first year in FBS, and Kennesaw State had only just accepted an invitation to join and begin their transition. Delaware wasn't even on the table.

And let's not forget the whole Facebook/Stadium deal the conference was coming out of. It's not like the conference had tons of CBSSN and ESPN ratings data working in our favor.

Contrast that with what we'll bring to the negotiating table in our final year of this deal in 2027-28:

• It will be JSU and SHSU's fourth year as full FBS members.
• It will be KSU's third year as full FBS members.
• It will be Delaware's second year as full FBS members.
• Even if an FCS school is invited this year, they'll be full FBS members by then.
• Liberty competed in the CFP in the 2023-24 season. While further playoff appearances are pure speculation at this point, it's unlikely CUSA's football strength will go DOWN in coming years, as the former FCS schools fully adapt to life in FBS. Additionally, other teams in the conference have made coaching changes and other commitments which, if successful, could push them higher in the rankings.
• CUSA's ratings, especially on midweek games, were as high or higher than other G5 conferences in comparable time slots on comparable networks. Again, while there are no guarantees this trend will continue, Year One of the current deal showed promise.
  

Basically, if WKU stays for at least a couple years more, the transitioning teams don't blow it, and at least some of the current FBS programs improve, CUSA will be approaching the 2028 negotiations from a place of relative strength.

Since WKU's administration will be privy to these negotiations, they'll be able to compare CUSA's new 2028 deal directly with the MAC's 2027 package.

And if trends continue, this could mean WKU will remain with us for a long time to come.

Good post Whupemall.
I'll add two things that could help the media deal some. Delaware and Missouri St. Both positives, new states, metro area,etc..

(03-01-2024 10:28 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 10:03 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 10:00 AM)theATLDawg Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:49 AM)R40 Wrote:  

(03-01-2024 09:47 AM)WKUApollo Wrote:  WKU has not been invited to the MAC. Do you just make crap up?

It appears you're spending of lot of effort on here trying to pump up WKU to leave thus making room for whatever second rate school you support. WKU IS NOT GOING ANYWHERE except to FIU for a basketball game tomorrow.

Wake up to reality. I said with UMass and I will say it again. I am your reality check.

Nobody really wanted UMASs and frankly I still don’t and now you are acting like UMASS is going to make the MAC less of a bottom feeder than they already are. U need a reality check UMASS just made the MAC worse or equally bad. It’s sad when a rebuilding CUSA already outranked them in year one.

You don't understand how any of this works.

And u are just a blowhole everyone should put on ignore

Why anyone engages with that bozo is beyond me.