AAC Re-Alignment

[SMUstang]

If Boise State decides to leave the MWC, the revenue for the other schools would soon be reduced drastically. Some of the other members of the MWC don't like paying Boise State more than they are getting. Suppose under those circumstances that Boise State, Air Force and San Diego State decided to join the AAC for 'football only' to keep or improve their revenue. Would ESPN re-negotiate our contract to guaranty each school at least $7M/school? Would the American finally be recognized as a P6 conference? Keep in mind that ESPN has great coverage and did have a long standing relationship with Boise State that they no longer have.

[JasonB]

I'm sure that discussion would be held prior to Boise joining. They will only be asked to come over if there is a parallel agreement with ESPN to increase revenue.

[Timothythegreat]

Boise joining the American would be absolutely the best thing to happen to the conference as far as national respectability. As it stands, Boise State is the greatest group of five rival to the American. Joining them up simultaneously takes them away as a threat and bolsters our own strength and they can't play favorites by putting Boise State in front of American teams in the rankings once They join.

[EastStang]

And another kitten dies.

[SMUstang]

Consider this alignment:
East: Memphis, UCF, Navy, Cincinnati, Temple, USF, East Carolina
West: Air Force, Boise State, SMU, San Diego State, Tulane, Houston, Tulsa, and Wichita State for all but football.

You could make an argument for BYU in the place of SDSU.

[BUS]

Think about that and waiting till 9 pm for a game to start.

[SMUstang]

Think about that and waiting till 9 pm for a game to start.

That’s true, but is it worth it to be a true Power Conference, and earn more money. In the age of VCR’s? And you only need to see 1 game every 2 years when it happens.

[smubrooks]

The age of VCRs? When was that? The 90s?

[One Trick Pony]

The age of VCRs? When was that? The 90s?

Even C d's are in the land of brochures the world is digital delivery.

[SoCal_Pony]

Think about that and waiting till 9 pm for a game to start.

That’s true, but is it worth it to be a true Power Conference, and earn more money. In the age of VCR’s? And you only need to see 1 game every 2 years when it happens.

Exactly.

SMU didn’t have a 7pm kickoff last year. Some 6pm’s early in the season (OOC that wouldn’t impact us for this discussion) and a couple of 6:30’s when we were bad and nationwide.

Boise St & AF are MT zone so there would be only 1 hour variance.

Assuming SD St did have a 7pm schedule, that’s 1 game every other year with a 9pm kickoff, a small price to pay.

I am also of the opinion that if we expand, add school(s) that enhance our brand. WKU, Marshall, App St diminish our brand.

[SMUstang]

That’s true, but is it worth it to be a true Power Conference, and earn more money. In the age of VCR’s? And you only need to see 1 game every 2 years when it happens.

I meant to say DVR's, sorry.

[mrydel]

“True Power Conference” is defined by the TV dollars, not the teams. Even adding BYU and Boise would not provide a contract anywhere near what the P5s get, although it would most likely improve what we have now.

[SMUstang]

“True Power Conference” is defined by the TV dollars, not the teams. Even adding BYU and Boise would not provide a contract anywhere near what the P5s get, although it would most likely improve what we have now.

That's true. We also have to have better attendance. The TV dollars will then follow. We probably won't ever get to UT or OSU attendance levels, but BYU and Boise couldn't hurt.

[ponyboy]

In theory, one could have 5 people show up physically to games and still get plenty of TV dollars. But no doubt attendance and viewership are generally correlated.

Also, P5 membership is to some degree a chicken or egg proposition. Which came first, the fan interest or the P5 inclusion?

[SMUstang]

In theory, one could have 5 people show up physically to games and still get plenty of TV dollars. But no doubt attendance and viewership are generally correlated.

That is true, but if you look at the power ratings of Sagarin for instance, we would be ahead of the ACC already. And ESPN offers great viewership. The power ratings for Boise, BYU, and Air Force would go up if they were in the AAC.