VIDEO: American Athletic Conference commissioner Mike Aresco

[PonyPride]

AAC commissioner at 2021 Media Day

[PonyPride]

Commish says AAC will not reschedule games this year. "If a team can not play because of Covid, it will be considered a forfeit."

[PonyPride]

Commish:

AAC "advocating" for full vaccination among athletes

"We're pleased with (College Football Playoff) recommendations." AAC is "socializing" this plan with athletes, coaches, faculty athletic reps and others who are stakeholders in what we do." AAC is "polling each school and will deliver the results to the CFP in mid-August." Representation for "the top six conferences is good for us, but also good for college football."

Going to work to dissolve "Group of 5" label. "We don't think it's fair to anyone in the G5" and want to "consign this label to the historical dustbin" where it belongs, because "the kind of separation it has entailed has not been helpful to our branding and also to other schools in the G5. We never felt that we belong there, and always felt that all FBS should be represented equally."

Re: "controversy regarding potential SEC expansion"
"I will not get into the issue of SEC expansion — it's not for me to comment. But if the CFP plan is a good one, and I believe it is, the current expansion speculation should not derail or delay the process." Expanded CFP allows more schools "to become relevant" and "likely will lead" to higher ratings.

Re: conference realignment
"That's obviously the elephant in the room..."
"We, as a conference, are in the strongest position we've ever been in, and we will consider capitalizing on every opportunity."
"... but I want to emphasize: we are not looking at realignment and we are not out there attempting to 'take teams'"

Re: accusations made against AAC and/or ESPN:
"I say this categorically: our conference has never strategically aligned or plotted with ESPN to influence conference structures. We wouldn't do that, ESPN has not done that and wouldn't do it."
"But any suggestions or statements that we colluded with ESPN with regard to the structure of any other conference is a completely unfounded and grossly irresponsible accusation, and that's all I have to say about this at this point."

[Dement-ed]

"We, as a conference, are in the strongest position we've ever been in, and we will consider capitalizing on every opportunity."
"... but I want to emphasize: we are not looking at realignment and we are not out there attempting to 'take teams'"

Wouldn't it make sense that they could strengthen their position if they were looking at realignment and trying to add other schools, rather than hoping nobody comes along and poaches ours?

[BUS]

What I heard.... WE are not telling or talking about anybody calling us. Would not be prudent.
We are not looking to loose anyone and we are all saying that.

We will see but he is right - We are in a pretty good spot and more solid than some others.

[Casey]

If Aresco isn't looking at realignment and trying to get more schools, he's not doing his job