1. Join SBC with ODU and JMU, as has been widely understood to be a popular option among the fan base (... that is, at least, the online boards fan base).

2. Remain with CUSA, perhaps under the motive that Marshall would be part of 8 schools enjoying a split of $20m+ in cash, and the seemingly somewhat unappreciated benefit of a small conference with a March Madness auto bid.

3. Join MAC, under a novel condition where MAC effectively adds a new division of 6 football-only members who otherwise play in CUSA for basketball and other sports. Thus, Marshall continues to benefit as cited in #2.

What's in that for MAC? Without any serious imposition on most of the existing members' football scheduling (assuming new 9-team north and south divisions), the conference sets itself up in a position for wider interest which their TV partner seems would like to see.

4. Partner with SBC, and do something very, very novel...

https://csnbbs.com/thread-933189-post-17...id17775816

(10-25-2021 08:36 AM)_sturt_ Wrote:  1. Join SBC with ODU and JMU, as has been widely understood to be a popular option among the fan base (... that is, at least, the online boards fan base).

2. Remain with CUSA, perhaps under the motive that Marshall would be part of 8 schools enjoying a split of $20m+ in cash, and the seemingly somewhat unappreciated benefit of a small conference with a March Madness auto bid.

3. Join MAC, under a novel condition where MAC effectively adds a new division of 6 football-only members who otherwise play in CUSA for basketball and other sports. Thus, Marshall continues to benefit as cited in #2.

What's in that for MAC? Without any serious imposition on most of the existing members' football scheduling (assuming new 9-team north and south divisions), the conference sets itself up in a position for wider interest which their TV partner seems would like to see.

4. Partner with SBC, and do something very, very novel...

https://csnbbs.com/thread-933189-post-17...id17775816

Don't forget #5--an airport meeting with preferred SBC and CUSA members.

(10-25-2021 09:32 AM)bullet Wrote:  Don't forget #5--an airport meeting with preferred SBC and CUSA members.

I did, but you didn't. :)

SBC is supposed to get AAC like TV windows as part of the SBC's new deal with ESPN.

I can't see Marshall passing that up for something like MACtion.

It looks like SBC is a done deal for Marshall.

I'm a proponent of Marshall relegating to FCS if possible.... but it seems like they want to play Troy for access to the basement bowl.

The TV considerations of the puzzle is something that do have to be taken into account, absolutely @Kit-Cat.

Knowing what those are with any precision, though? Let's just say that it's times like this that dshoe once was the singular internet board voice I ever had full confidence to trust. (Unfortunately for us, Dan crossed over to the next reality 3 yrs ago.)

And, too, maybe chief among those considerations these days... length of contract.

In all of this realignment chaos that has taken place in the last ten or fifteen years the two programs that have deserved better outcomes are Marshall football and University of Dayton basketball....

(10-25-2021 11:06 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  SBC is supposed to get AAC like TV windows as part of the SBC's new deal with ESPN.

I can't see Marshall passing that up for something like MACtion.

And I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

The only AAC-like money they'd get is when ESPN cuts the AAC deal down to $2M per member.

(10-25-2021 11:31 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 11:06 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  SBC is supposed to get AAC like TV windows as part of the SBC's new deal with ESPN.

I can't see Marshall passing that up for something like MACtion.

And I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

The only AAC-like money they'd get is when ESPN cuts the AAC deal down to $2M per member.

I said AAC TV windows. Like those on ABC.

I would go at it alone if I can find a network that can pay out a comparable payout to the Sunbelt schools, assuming no defections of WKU and MTSU. Move UTEP out by giving them a disproportionate slice of the buyout money. Try to lure App St/ECU/Army down the line to form a geographically tight mid-Atlantic conference.

Sunbelt options would be limited unless they wanted to invite La Tech or FIU. Conf USA can get to 8 by taking Liberty, UConn and UMass (FO), and pay equal share to George Mason/VCU to get Bball up to par.

Decision has already been made. Just a formality now that will be announced shortly after our new president is announced. We are going to the Sunbelt.

(10-25-2021 11:52 AM)MUHERD76 Wrote:  Decision has already been made. Just a formality now that will be announced shortly after our new president is announced. We are going to the Sunbelt.

Yeah, doesn't surprise me. It's the safe play.

Sunbelt is the obvious decision. Marshall is going to be in a division with ODU, JMU, App State, Coastal, Ga State, and Ga Southern. Should be fun.

76, I respect you believe that, and that your source believes that.

I remain a skeptic because O'Malley had no evident reason to tweet what he did on Friday. If what you're convinced is a done deal is, indeed, a done deal, there was no incentive to tweet anything at all, period. Clearly, there was some value in his mind to tamping down expectations publicly. If one accepts the premise--and based on my experiences, I do, of course--that the new president has been determined, and that s/he is going to get a genuine opportunity to be part of the process and even make the final decision, Marshall is evaluating all options much like a GM for a pro team would do in the days leading up to a trade deadline.

I'll grant that it's the likely conclusion. I'm reluctant to believe it's the already-done conclusion.

(10-25-2021 11:45 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 11:31 AM)dbackjon Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 11:06 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  SBC is supposed to get AAC like TV windows as part of the SBC's new deal with ESPN.

I can't see Marshall passing that up for something like MACtion.

And I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell you.

The only AAC-like money they'd get is when ESPN cuts the AAC deal down to $2M per member.

I said AAC TV windows. Like those on ABC.

My mistake. ESPN's prime windows are for the SEC etc. Sun Belt will have to prove on the field and in the ratings that more people care about Georgia-State-ULM than say, Memphis-SMU or Purdue-Illinois.

Only so many prime slots, unless you are on ESPN+, then it doesn't really matter what streaming service you are on.

(10-25-2021 11:06 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  SBC is supposed to get AAC like TV windows as part of the SBC's new deal with ESPN.

I can't see Marshall passing that up for something like MACtion.

With their fan attendance, I don't see Marshall being willing to do a bunch of T/W games.

Actually, for Marshall, having grown up in Huntington, my opinion is that Tuesdays actually aren't the worst.

Wednesdays... because it's an area of the country where churches still have viable mid-week Bible study... and Fridays... because, well, you know why... are the worst.

(10-25-2021 12:55 PM)bullet Wrote:  With their fan attendance, I don't see Marshall being willing to do a bunch of T/W games.

A single annual game is tolerable. Prior to C-USA 3.0, Marshall would occasionally host Tuesday games. The whole November "MACtion" on T/W doesn't fly.

(10-25-2021 01:21 PM)CoachMaclid Wrote:  

(10-25-2021 12:55 PM)bullet Wrote:  With their fan attendance, I don't see Marshall being willing to do a bunch of T/W games.

A single annual game is tolerable. Prior to C-USA 3.0, Marshall would occasionally host Tuesday games. The whole November "MACtion" on T/W doesn't fly.

I think its a real problem for the MAC schools. They are getting short term gain for giving up future ties to the university. One is fine. 2 or 3 is a problem.