(07-08-2013 02:59 PM)MeanGreenGem Wrote: How much will that move to the MWC cost UTEP (if it happens)? And how much will it cost with most all your Texas-based alumnus groups, too?
Exit fee for leaving CUSA is? I have no idea.
GMG!
I'm sure UTEP would give C-USA at least a one year notice which means a lame duck season in FB and BB which would save money on exit fees plus whatever entrance fees the MWC has which usually are paid in installments. So I would say anywhere from $1 million to $2 million which is a good investment considering the MWC is where UTEP belongs. But until that happens or maybe it won't happen at all, UTEP fans will enjoy our stay here in C-USA.
(07-08-2013 05:33 AM)correcamino Wrote: Was UT El Paso invited to the MWC a year ago when we got invited? Not talking smack, I genuinely don't know if they did or not.
UTEP was invited to the MWC before SJSU and USU but our administration wanted to stay with the Texas schools.
And they turned it down only to change their mind shortly after? Sorry but that makes little sense. UTEP has not been shy about their desire to join the MWC, I really doubt they wouldve turned down an invite if they had it...especially with CUSA teams leaving left and right.
(This post was last modified: 07-08-2013 03:27 PM by correcamino.)
(07-08-2013 05:33 AM)correcamino Wrote: Was UT El Paso invited to the MWC a year ago when we got invited? Not talking smack, I genuinely don't know if they did or not.
UTEP was invited to the MWC before SJSU and USU but our administration wanted to stay with the Texas schools.
And they turned it down only to change their mind shortly after? Sorry but that makes little sense. UTEP has not been shy about their desire to join the MWC, I really doubt they wouldve turned down invite if they had it...especially with CUSA team leaving left and right.
If I'm not mistaken, the MWC invited UTEP back before the C-USA defections to the Big East aka AAC so at that time it made no sense to join a conference that just lost Utah, BYU and TCU (and Boise was rumored to leave for the Big East as well). Besides, talks of the MWC/C-USA merger were underway so it was widely known UTEP was going to slide to the MWC side of the alliance. Also, there were rumors it was going to cost $7 million to leave C-USA but the Big East defectors at least had a claim of possible AQ status and a big fat TV deal which made the move worthy (which either never materialized) but the MWC offered none of that. So the MWC losing members, Boise flirting with the Big East, the $7 million exit fee and both conferences merging were factors for UTEP not going to the MWC when it was invited (which was never denied nor confirmed by UTEP officials, it's all been Utah State fans saying this on the MWC board).
Had UTEP known C-USA was going to collapse, the merger was going to be denied by the NCAA and that Boise and Cal State-San Diego were going to stay in the MWC, you bet UTEP would have jumped right away. Basically, San Jose State took our spot and the rest is history. The only way UTEP is going to the MWC is as #14 because the only school that moves the needle TV wise is BYU so no BYU = UTEP not getting invited.
(07-08-2013 05:33 AM)correcamino Wrote: Was UT El Paso invited to the MWC a year ago when we got invited? Not talking smack, I genuinely don't know if they did or not.
UTEP was invited to the MWC before SJSU and USU but our administration wanted to stay with the Texas schools.
And they turned it down only to change their mind shortly after? Sorry but that makes little sense. UTEP has not been shy about their desire to join the MWC, I really doubt they wouldve turned down invite if they had it...especially with CUSA team leaving left and right.
If I'm not mistaken, the MWC invited UTEP back before the C-USA defections to the Big East aka AAC so at that time it made no sense to join a conference that just lost Utah, BYU and TCU (and Boise was rumored to leave for the Big East as well). Besides, talks of the MWC/C-USA merger were underway so it was widely known UTEP was going to slide to the MWC side of the alliance. Also, there were rumors it was going to cost $7 million to leave C-USA but the Big East defectors at least had a claim of possible AQ status and a big fat TV deal which made the move worthy (which either never materialized) but the MWC offered none of that. So the MWC losing members, Boise flirting with the Big East, the $7 million exit fee and both conferences merging were factors for UTEP not going to the MWC when it was invited (which was never denied nor confirmed by UTEP officials, it's all been Utah State fans saying this on the MWC board).
Had UTEP known C-USA was going to collapse, the merger was going to be denied by the NCAA and that Boise and Cal State-San Diego were going to stay in the MWC, you bet UTEP would have jumped right away. Basically, San Jose State took our spot and the rest is history. The only way UTEP is going to the MWC is as #14 because the only school that moves the needle TV wise is BYU so no BYU = UTEP not getting invited.
Summed up perfectly. That is what all my homework has led me to believe as well.
I forgot to mention there's only 4 Western FBS programs not in the Pac-12 and MWC: BYU, UTEP, New Mexico State and Idaho. Of those four, BYU has the most value in TV, bowls, prestige, football, fanbase, facilities, etc. That's why I really believe the only way the MWC would invite UTEP is if BYU is on board. Otherwise why even bother? BYU would command an increase in TV revenue so adding BYU as #13 plus another school makes sense (I don't think NMSU or Idaho would get the nod over UTEP but if there's something I learned in conference realignment in the last 10 years is never to say never).
So you guys basically made the same mistake as us? Had a choice between both conferences and went with C-USA only to realize that the MWC was the better conference once the realignment dominoes came to a stop.
(07-08-2013 04:19 PM)correcamino Wrote: So you guys basically made the same mistake as us? Had a choice between both conferences and went with C-USA only to realize that the MWC was the better conference once the realignment dominoes came to a stop.
UTSA made the right decision in picking C-USA over the MWC. Unlike UTEP, your school is centrally located, shares the same time zone with at least 6 other schools and San Antonio is a short drive from most West Division schools plus there's no history with any MWC schools. UTEP has history with most MWC schools, El Paso is in the Mountain time zone and its biggest rival, UNM is there. That's why I think UTEP is a better fit in the MWC than C-USA but that doesn't necessarily means C-USA is a bad fit for UTEP. On the contrary, C-USA has been a nice home for the Miners and I'll be happy if our administration feels this conference will be our home for the foreseable future.
I like the schools that were added and it will be difficult to leave them. I'll take either one. The MWC offers a higher caliber of bkb and it would be nice to kick some Boise butt in fb . I like the Texas-centric western division that we're in now. We shall see if Stan the Man is right in this one.
(07-08-2013 05:02 PM)olliebaba Wrote: I like the schools that were added and it will be difficult to leave them. I'll take either one. The MWC offers a higher caliber of bkb and it would be nice to kick some Boise butt in fb . I like the Texas-centric western division that we're in now. We shall see if Stan the Man is right in this one.
It really is a no lose situation for us right now. This is nothing like when we were left behind when the MWC was formed. I am sorry to see the departing schools leave CUSA but I don't feel upset at all. I like the new CUSA, I am starting to love CUSA-West, so "it's all good."
UTEP turned down the MWC because they didn't think SMU, Houston and Tulsa would be leaving CUSA. They also thought Boise St. and SDSU would be leaving the MWC. UTEP will be saving the money it gets from the departing school of CUSA and the entrance fees and use it to pay for their exit fees from CUSA and entrance fees to the MWC. BYU is the key. They are not happy in the WCC for basketball now that Gonzaga is leaving to be with the C7. They also would like the same kind of TV deal that Boise St. got with the MWC. The MWC also wants to look at how scheduling will work with 14 teams. They would rather have 16 but will be looking at how the ACC, SEC and CUSA manage their schedules. If UTEP was somehow able to package themselves with the Sun Bowl it would be a done deal. The key will be to see how the Sun Bowl and the ACC deal is worked out.
(07-08-2013 06:47 PM)El Runner Wrote: I really don't see BYU going to the MWC. Now if the Big-12 came calling, they'd join in a New York minute. BYU thinks their chit don't stink.
You are right about BYU and their $hit. The problem is with their membership in the WCC for Olympic sports, bowl tie ins and television. The MWC has let Boise St. have a major say in their television package and if the games aren't picked up by CBS sports then BSU can sell their games in a package to any network they want to. This allows BSU to be tied to a conference and receive that money and bowl tie ins but to also act as a free agent when they need to. It really is the best of both worlds and BYU is waiting to see how BSU does with the television. It is a real possibility that they will go to the MWC and make them the strongest of the have nots.
OK. In all fairness to Ootsah, this is last year's. But it is as generic as it gets... Thought I heard a "Save more. Live Better..... Get your commercials done at Wal-Mart" at the end.
"B"...Wish that UAB would make more commercials for TV locally...The only video ads on them I ever see are at Bartow Arena, the Softball Complex and Young Memorial Field (Baseball)...
. I like the Texas-centric western division that we're in now. We shall see if Stan the Man is right in this one.
