(03-27-2024 09:17 AM)mpurdy22 Wrote:  What does anyone know about Drake University. Looks like a quality academic school, another geographic market not too far outside the footprint. Had a good basketball season this year, football was 8-4 last year. Stadium is around 15,000.

Wonder if the MAC asked their interest, if a dialogue could begin with them??

It's a good school, and in a sweet spot geographically (Des Moines). But the football is non-scholarship right now, isn't it? They'd have a long way to go to where they could compete in the MAC. And given that it is small (4,000+ students) and private, it may not be the most obvious place to look right now.

It's an interesting thought, though.

(03-26-2024 02:06 PM)OhioCatFan Wrote:  

(03-26-2024 12:48 PM)FMRocket Wrote:  My Albany post was part serious/part joking !!
#1 (WKU)
#2 (UCONN-FB) some bb games on the docket…
#3 (Temple) - if the AAC ever disssolves…
#4 ( Any up and coming FCS school that makes sense geographically)…

#1 WKU
#2 ECU & Temple (put the AAC out of its misery)
#3 Delaware (Switchero from C-USA)
#4 U of Albany

UCONN only for all sports, which probably means never

ECU & Temple (put the AAC out of its misery)

...this would be cool.

I can't vote in the poll, since the MAC can't just "add" a school like kids in a playground trading playing cards, but:

(1) WKU if interested
(2) Delaware if interested and able to move
(3) UConn FB-only if willing to come for a limited term affiliate deal with 4 OOC Basketball games per year (2 MBB H/A and 2 WBB H/A)
(4) An FCS school that is a good fit both institutionally and geographically, with a history of football success (though it seems likely all of those have already moved up)
(5) Wait for a good candidate to appear
(6) An FCS school that is not a good fit institutionally, or else is not a good fit geographically, or with no history of football success.

Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million buyout to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR buyout that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million payment to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million buyout to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR buyout that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

As I stated previously, conference realignment is a process, not an event.

(03-28-2024 08:13 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million buyout to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

As I stated previously, conference realignment is a process, not an event.

In other words, it's all in the hands of the Worldwide Leader?

(03-28-2024 09:46 AM)OhioCatFan Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 08:13 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million buyout to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

As I stated previously, conference realignment is a process, not an event.

In other words, it's all in the hands of the Worldwide Leader?

All? Certainly not. CBSSN also has a say.

But mostly? Yeah, for a prospective move between CUSA and tha MAC, mostly in the hands of the Worldwide Leader.

Think about it strategically for the MAC vs. other conferences. What is going to give the MAC the best territorial edge?

Adding UMass was a big step forward for additional eastern members down the road. Should the AAC collapse Temple could be orphaned and having UMass in the MAC makes it a slightly more attractive landing spot, particuarly if the alternative is CUSA. However CUSA made itself more attractive to Temple with Delaware in the fold.

Western Kentucky likewise helps to recruit more southern members in the future to the MAC. While unlikely Marshall could get orphaned in the SBC. Another possibility is Charlotte from the AAC because while the SBC has room at the Inn to grow to 16 with ECU they might not necessarily have the room for a 3rd North Carolina school. Charlotte talked with the MAC in the past when CUSA 2.0 booted non-FB schools out. It would be a nice destination for MAC spring sport tournaments.

That said the process for the next realignment might happen slower than what some expect. The ACC could lose FSU/Clemson relatively soon but it might be a while before they need to reload. In fact they pre-reloaded to 18 with SMU/Stanford/Cal to give them numbers as a hedge for the future. WKU might as well stay in CUSA at least until the end of the present TV contract, IMO.

(03-27-2024 10:17 AM)Schadenfreude Wrote:  

(03-27-2024 09:17 AM)mpurdy22 Wrote:  What does anyone know about Drake University. Looks like a quality academic school, another geographic market not too far outside the footprint. Had a good basketball season this year, football was 8-4 last year. Stadium is around 15,000.

Wonder if the MAC asked their interest, if a dialogue could begin with them??

It's a good school, and in a sweet spot geographically (Des Moines). But the football is non-scholarship right now, isn't it? They'd have a long way to go to where they could compete in the MAC. And given that it is small (4,000+ students) and private, it may not be the most obvious place to look right now.

It's an interesting thought, though.

Forgot about them as a non-scholarship football, but I think their athletic budget is $18 mil.,but with a bump in MAC revenue and student fees, maybe they could pass the $20 mil threshold in budget.

Eitherway, if it isn't WKU to the MAC, its a struggle to find anyone else that would be mutual interest.

Another way to look at it is how many full members does each FBS conference have moving forward with new lineups?

B1G 18
ACC 17
SEC 16
XII 16
SBC 14
MAC 13
MWC 12
AAC 12
CUSA 11
PAC 2

The AAC I think is the conference with the most extinction pressure right now aside from the 2PAC situation. They only have 12 all sport members and I believe the FBS requirement is 8.

I also will note that if the SBC/MAC/MWC/CUSA all moved to 16 they would have enough capacity to absorb 14 AAC members. 16 has become now almost the new 12 if you look at the power conferences. This not even considering AAC schools going to the XII/ACC or doing something with 2PAC.

The strength in numbers approach of going to 14 FB members by the AAC in 2021 looked like a lot but in 2024 it doesn't seem that way. They could probably withstand a hit of losing 2 more members but larger their existence is called into question.

Whereas I think CUSA could comfortably lose 5-6 members and still find a way to rebuild it with FCS schools. TV deal for CUSA isn't worth anything so its nothing to lose unlike the AAC which could cause members to splinter if they lost their deal.

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million payment to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

First of all-- if the AD does as before that 2 million is already purposed toward BASKETBALL improvements.

Also--WKU is set to get ANOTHER larger than usual conference disbursement this early Summer.

Freshtop is right on.

Besides, we are using all that extra money to "live on" to a certain extent. Already looking forward to Media TV contract negotiations in 2027 for the new deal in '28. Delaware and the probable add of Missouri St. should strengthen our position since that will add more media inventory and some additional markets. Travel for WKU will be improved next year with the addition of KSU (4 hours) and in the future with Missouri St. (less than 7 hrs).

(03-28-2024 05:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million payment to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

First of all-- if the AD does as before that 2 million is already purposed toward BASKETBALL improvements.

Also--WKU is set to get ANOTHER larger than usual conference disbursement this early Summer.

Freshtop is right on.

Besides, we are using all that extra money to "live on" to a certain extent. Already looking forward to Media TV contract negotiations in 2027 for the new deal in '28. Delaware and the probable add of Missouri St. should strengthen our position since that will add more media inventory and some additional markets. Travel for WKU will be improved next year with the addition of KSU (4 hours) and in the future with Missouri St. (less than 7 hrs).

You seem pretty confident, there will only be additions. Not say it will happen, but you never know.

(03-28-2024 05:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million payment to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

First of all-- if the AD does as before that 2 million is already purposed toward BASKETBALL improvements.

Also--WKU is set to get ANOTHER larger than usual conference disbursement this early Summer.

Freshtop is right on.

Besides, we are using all that extra money to "live on" to a certain extent. Already looking forward to Media TV contract negotiations in 2027 for the new deal in '28. Delaware and the probable add of Missouri St. should strengthen our position since that will add more media inventory and some additional markets. Travel for WKU will be improved next year with the addition of KSU (4 hours) and in the future with Missouri St. (less than 7 hrs).

Actually, I just checked Google Maps. Bowling Green, KY to Springfield, MO is just over 7 hours, an equal distance as Bowling Green, KY is to DeKalb, IL (NIU), Kalamazoo, MI (WMU) and Kent, Ohio (Kent State). Seven other MAC schools are all less than 7 hours from Bowling Green, KY. Only CMU, Buffalo and UMass are more than 7 hours from WKU.

The MAC has a much tighter geographic footprint than CUSA with a majority of member schools in closer proximity to WKU than CUSA schools are. Nashville also offers direct flights to all major airports within the MAC footprint, including the airport in Hartford, Conn.

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million buyout to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR buyout that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

ESPN article now posted:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...aching-job

(03-28-2024 09:27 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million buyout to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR buyout that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

ESPN article now posted:

https://www.espn.com/mens-college-basket...aching-job

Is that what they call a one-and-done??

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

THIS^^^ is the bottom line (Repeated for emphasis). There is No "CLINCHER" or Massive grounds for changing leagues.

Additionally--WKU is STILL collecting some above average disbursements. Every conference has different methods and choices of how/when to share revenues.


#WKU to MAC--Thanks, but No Thanks

(03-28-2024 08:31 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 05:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million payment to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

First of all-- if the AD does as before that 2 million is already purposed toward BASKETBALL improvements.

Also--WKU is set to get ANOTHER larger than usual conference disbursement this early Summer.

Freshtop is right on.

Besides, we are using all that extra money to "live on" to a certain extent. Already looking forward to Media TV contract negotiations in 2027 for the new deal in '28. Delaware and the probable add of Missouri St. should strengthen our position since that will add more media inventory and some additional markets. Travel for WKU will be improved next year with the addition of KSU (4 hours) and in the future with Missouri St. (less than 7 hrs).

Actually, I just checked Google Maps. Bowling Green, KY to Springfield, MO is just over 7 hours, an equal distance as Bowling Green, KY is to DeKalb, IL (NIU), Kalamazoo, MI (WMU) and Kent, Ohio (Kent State). Seven other MAC schools are all less than 7 hours from Bowling Green, KY. Only CMU, Buffalo and UMass are more than 7 hours from WKU.

The MAC has a much tighter geographic footprint than CUSA with a majority of member schools in closer proximity to WKU than CUSA schools are. Nashville also offers direct flights to all major airports within the MAC footprint, including the airport in Hartford, Conn.

My ONLY point--in the one short sentence above-- was that Travel will be Improved next year and in the near future.

Of course--I never and am NOT arguing that travel is "somehow" less in CUSA.

BUT--travel is only One of many factors when considering conference affiliation.




#WKU to MAC--Thanks, but NO Thanks

(03-28-2024 08:31 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 05:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million payment to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

First of all-- if the AD does as before that 2 million is already purposed toward BASKETBALL improvements.

Also--WKU is set to get ANOTHER larger than usual conference disbursement this early Summer.

Freshtop is right on.

Besides, we are using all that extra money to "live on" to a certain extent. Already looking forward to Media TV contract negotiations in 2027 for the new deal in '28. Delaware and the probable add of Missouri St. should strengthen our position since that will add more media inventory and some additional markets. Travel for WKU will be improved next year with the addition of KSU (4 hours) and in the future with Missouri St. (less than 7 hrs).

Actually, I just checked Google Maps. Bowling Green, KY to Springfield, MO is just over 7 hours, an equal distance as Bowling Green, KY is to DeKalb, IL (NIU), Kalamazoo, MI (WMU) and Kent, Ohio (Kent State). Seven other MAC schools are all less than 7 hours from Bowling Green, KY. Only CMU, Buffalo and UMass are more than 7 hours from WKU.

The MAC has a much tighter geographic footprint than CUSA with a majority of member schools in closer proximity to WKU than CUSA schools are. Nashville also offers direct flights to all major airports within the MAC footprint, including the airport in Hartford, Conn.

As a general rule of thumb anything which is within 10 hours is a bus for FB. Games are only once a week and it is 1/3rd of the entire athletic department at a G5.

With smaller sports I know Ohio will fly if its outside of 5. That means NIU, WMU, CMU and Buffalo are a jet while everything else is a bus.

There is the cost savings of bussing but then also less travel time is easier on the student athlete.

(03-29-2024 01:30 AM)Garden_KC Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 08:31 PM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 05:04 PM)TOPSTRAIGHT Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:57 AM)freshtop Wrote:  

(03-28-2024 07:29 AM)BeatWestern! Wrote:  Interesting development. Western Kentucky MBB head coach Steve Lutz is reportedly the leading candidate to be the next head coach at Oklahoma State. If Lutz is terminated without cause before April 30, it reportedly will require Lutz/OSU to pay a $2 million payment to WKU.

This is money that could then be used by WKU to help pay the $2.4 million GOR money that would be due to CUSA if WKU chooses to leave for the MAC, effective July 1, 2025.

We have collected over 11 million dollars total in conference distributions the past two seasons from exit/entrance fees due to realignment. The $2 mil buyout will be nice, but the GOR isn't what is keeping us in CUSA. It is the long term financials of both leagues being too similar to warrant a move (as it stands today).

First of all-- if the AD does as before that 2 million is already purposed toward BASKETBALL improvements.

Also--WKU is set to get ANOTHER larger than usual conference disbursement this early Summer.

Freshtop is right on.

Besides, we are using all that extra money to "live on" to a certain extent. Already looking forward to Media TV contract negotiations in 2027 for the new deal in '28. Delaware and the probable add of Missouri St. should strengthen our position since that will add more media inventory and some additional markets. Travel for WKU will be improved next year with the addition of KSU (4 hours) and in the future with Missouri St. (less than 7 hrs).

Actually, I just checked Google Maps. Bowling Green, KY to Springfield, MO is just over 7 hours, an equal distance as Bowling Green, KY is to DeKalb, IL (NIU), Kalamazoo, MI (WMU) and Kent, Ohio (Kent State). Seven other MAC schools are all less than 7 hours from Bowling Green, KY. Only CMU, Buffalo and UMass are more than 7 hours from WKU.

The MAC has a much tighter geographic footprint than CUSA with a majority of member schools in closer proximity to WKU than CUSA schools are. Nashville also offers direct flights to all major airports within the MAC footprint, including the airport in Hartford, Conn.

As a general rule of thumb anything which is within 10 hours is a bus for FB. Games are only once a week and it is 1/3rd of the entire athletic department at a G5.

With smaller sports I know Ohio will fly if its outside of 5. That means NIU, WMU, CMU and Buffalo are a jet while everything else is a bus.

There is the cost savings of bussing but then also less travel time is easier on the student athlete.

I think the ship has sailed for WKU. MAC had the perfect opportunity to add them but blew it