Ohio University- 35,000 students. $570 million endowment

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_University

(06-22-2019 09:57 PM)bearcatfan Wrote:  I would consider UAB.

Here’s video of when UCF played Uab. Pay close attention how bustling the stands are https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mXIK4fXa50g


I remember watching Uab games where there literally more people on the sidelines than in the stands.

(06-22-2019 09:39 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 09:01 PM)Noodles Wrote:  Embarrassing how C-USA schools wet their pants every time the AAC sneezes.
Instead of fighting to overcome the odds and become a better conference, everybody wants to join the bastards.

USM should never want to be associated with the lying, greedy, disloyal schools of the AAC.
We're not a good fit, for sure.

I think the problem with USM at this point is athletics revenue and institutional profile/endowment. AAC schools have poured hundreds of millions of dollars of investment into athletics and academics over the past few years. Speaking for ECU specifically, we have a collage of engineering and a dental school since leaving C-USA. Also, we’re currently completing a $60 mil. stadium upgrade. Enrollment has increased to nearly 30k. We’re also in the silent phase of fundraising for increasing the endowment. I haven’t seen that type of investment from USM. If I’m wrong I’d gladly be corrected. Otherwise, I like USM and always have.

Sadly USM has no new educational programs thanks the states IHL board giving everything to MSU or Ole Miss (they have the most members on the board). Even so much as duplicating programs at MSU that once were exclusive to USM, despite having for years said none of the big 3 universities in the state would have duplicate programs.

With that sad. There was recently a resolution passed in the city of Hattiesburg for a tax increase that will directly go to USM to fund a complete renovation of Reed Green Coliseum, some more work/upgrades to M.M. Roberts stadium, and other athletic needs. It will take 3 to 4 years for any fruits of the resolution to be seen.

(06-22-2019 11:59 PM)BobcatAttack11 Wrote:  Ohio University- 35,000 students. $570 million endowment

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ohio_University

Not bad at all but won't be considered.
Ohio's in the top 10 best G4's though.

(06-23-2019 12:01 AM)jaredf29 Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 09:57 PM)bearcatfan Wrote:  I would consider UAB.

Here’s video of when UCF played Uab. Pay close attention how bustling the stands are https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=mXIK4fXa50g


I remember watching Uab games where there literally more people on the sidelines than in the stands.

Great point, because what happened in 2011 has a lot to do with what’s happening in 2019.

I don't see rural schools getting invited. No Liberty, No USM... No MTSU... No L.Tech.
AAC is Urban Universities, we have a few rural but are exceptions.

(06-22-2019 09:46 PM)Noodles Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 09:39 PM)PuddlePirate Wrote:  

(06-22-2019 09:01 PM)Noodles Wrote:  Embarrassing how C-USA schools wet their pants every time the AAC sneezes.
Instead of fighting to overcome the odds and become a better conference, everybody wants to join the bastards.

USM should never want to be associated with the lying, greedy, disloyal schools of the AAC.
We're not a good fit, for sure.

I think the problem with USM at this point is athletics revenue and institutional profile/endowment. AAC schools have poured hundreds of millions of dollars of investment into athletics and academics over the past few years. Speaking for ECU specifically, we have a collage of engineering and a dental school since leaving C-USA. Also, we’re currently completing a $60 mil. stadium upgrade. Enrollment has increased to nearly 30k. We’re also in the silent phase of fundraising for increasing the endowment. I haven’t seen that type of investment from USM. If I’m wrong I’d gladly be corrected. Otherwise, I like USM and always have.

You ******* all brag about spending more money after you were given more money. We get more out of a dollar than any school in the country. Our fans quit on USM when all of you walked away and left us high and dry, after we carried your sorry asses for years.
To hell with the lot of you.

Is that a no or....?

BYU is the clear #1 option.

The only reason people might hesitate is because it doesn’t sound realistic. But hold on... they are in contact year! They are currently in negotiations with ESPN for Bowl agreements and TV contract. It’s a crazy coincidence! What are the odds BYU hasn’t come to terms with ESPN and UConn leaves the AAC? ESPN holds all the power over BYU. Their football has struggled recently and BYU isn’t in a position of power. Rumors were earlier this off season to expect BYU to have a portion of their games moved to ESPN+. Its the perfect storm. ESPN just needs to strong-arm BYU into the AAC. BYU’s bowl inventory sucks, it’s like NY6 or Hawaii or bust. At least AAC brings some decent bowl options for BYU. BYU hasn’t been in contention for NY6 bids.

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougar...alth-espn/

“College football insider Brett McMurphy of the Stadium Network has warned that some games could go on ESPN+ — the network’s streaming subscription service. That’s probably not news that Cougar fans will want to hear, but is a possibility, according to sources.”

https://www.sltrib.com/sports/byu-cougar...-new-deal/

“The two separate contracts — one for bowl placement and the other for the broadcasting of up to five BYU football home games per year — both expire at the conclusion of the 2019 season.”

Army/VCU.
Old Dominion
UAB
UMASS
Marshall
Southern Miss

things might get political uh oh

(06-22-2019 09:40 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  Because of the way this conference is geographically constructed we don't have any real rivalries and as a consequence lots of empty gyms and stadiums on game day. There's only one decent rivalry in this conference and it's USF and UCF and you only have to look at a map figure out why.

What were Memphis’s rivals when u were packing an NBA gym in ur CUSA days? It’s about winning. SMU was the hottest ticket recently. Hell even Tulane had students camping outside when we were winning in the 90’s

This conference has warts but is such a better place then the other g5’s including the MWC. They can’t compare to the AAC brands and particularly the AAC’s investments

1) BYU-No incentive to join.
2) Air Force-Could get a boost with the AAC.
3) Army-Not comfortable with the competition level.
4) Rice-Will say yes in a heartbeat.

I don't think the AAC has to dip below that to find a willing 12th. Rice is better than adding an eastern CUSA school.

(06-23-2019 02:23 AM)TodgeRodge Wrote:  things might get political uh oh

Wow not only is that a delusional tweet, the timing is totally unprofessional. Like UH has the clout here. Jeez. Lost alot of respect for her.

(06-23-2019 02:30 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  1) BYU-No incentive to join.
2) Air Force-Could get a boost with the AAC.
3) Army-Not comfortable with the competition level.
4) Rice-Will say yes in a heartbeat.

I don't think the AAC has to dip below that to find a willing 12th. Rice is better than adding an eastern CUSA school.

Rice literally adds nothing when UH is conference

BYU has incentives

(06-23-2019 02:23 AM)TodgeRodge Wrote:  things might get political uh oh

What about Rice?

(06-23-2019 02:34 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  

(06-23-2019 02:23 AM)TodgeRodge Wrote:  things might get political uh oh

What about Rice?

they would be a great addition, but just like with the Big 12 politicians can really only push public schools and use leverage on public schools

(06-23-2019 02:32 AM)wavefan12 Wrote:  

(06-23-2019 02:30 AM)Kit-Cat Wrote:  1) BYU-No incentive to join.
2) Air Force-Could get a boost with the AAC.
3) Army-Not comfortable with the competition level.
4) Rice-Will say yes in a heartbeat.

I don't think the AAC has to dip below that to find a willing 12th. Rice is better than adding an eastern CUSA school.

Rice literally adds nothing when UH is conference

BYU has incentives

BYU does not.

1) AAC is too far. I know it could be FB only but it would be a super expensive move flying out of SLC.

2) The bowl lineup of the AAC isn't any better than what they can score as an independent.

3) TV deal is roughly the same size.

If you want to see incentives think Air Force....

1) Could share a conference with Navy to simplify scheduling.

2) Potential of a lucrative TV deal relative to the MWC.

3) Has AF bases across the country that would work in drawing out fans on the road.

4) Denver is a short flight to CUSA West schools.

5) Would be competing against private schools SMU, Tulane and Tulsa.

(06-22-2019 09:40 PM)TIGERCITY Wrote:  Because of the way this conference is geographically constructed we don't have any real rivalries and as a consequence lots of empty gyms and stadiums on game day. There's only one decent rivalry in this conference and it's USF and UCF and you only have to look at a map figure out why.

Yup. But the thing is---this conference was never designed with rivalries or geography in mind. It was always about upwardly mobile peer schools who were attractive to TV and were willing to invest heavily in athletics. Here's what you see when you look at budgets----

Air Force ---50 million
SDSU---51.5 million
James Madison---48 million
UMass-----48 million
UNLV---47 million
Hawaii----49 million
Fresno ---44 miilion
ODU----46 million
Boise-----45 million
CSU----45 million
NMU-----44 million
Arky St---39 million
Buffalo----36 million
Charlotte-----38 million
NIU----26 million
LaTech----25 million
S Miss----25 million
N Dakota St----27 million

Cross reference reasonably peer sized budgets and performance in football--and you get AF, Fresno, Boise, SDSU, and maybe Arky St. Only AF and Arky St make any sense for geography. So, AF (football only)+ VCU or perhaps Arky St (football only)+VCU. If you screen again for TV appeal---your left with AF+VCU. Armys budget isnt listed---but its probably similar ti AF. Thus, Army+VCU would be a fit as well.

To me---Air Force (plus VCU) is the one to target.

(06-23-2019 02:31 AM)wavefan12 Wrote:  

(06-23-2019 02:23 AM)TodgeRodge Wrote:  things might get political uh oh

Wow not only is that a delusional tweet, the timing is totally unprofessional. Like UH has the clout here. Jeez. Lost alot of respect for her.

lol.....It appears she has learned a great deal from her interactions with the University of Texas.