Map of AAC expansion following merge with PAC4 plus couple of MWC teams

ScreamingEaglesFan · August 13, 2023

Saw this on Twitter and thought I'd share.

outoftown · August 13, 2023

Its not impossible this happens (I don't think it is super likely though).

But I would assume the MWC schools would only join in 25, not in 24.

Edited August 13, 2023 by outoftown

NT96 · August 13, 2023

2 hours ago, outoftown said:

Its not impossible this happens (I don't think it is super likely though).

But I would assume the MWC schools would only join in 25, not in 24.

Why not add Utah St. as well and have 3 pods of 7; Pacific Coast, Southwest and East Coast. Each team would play 3 home, 3 away within their pod and 1 game from each of the other 2 pods, 1 home and 1 away. Each school would only have to make one cross country trip per year in football.
For the conf championship you could take three division winners with the best record receiving a bye. Another option is to have pods with no divisions and the two best conference records play for the conf championship.

GrayEagle · August 13, 2023

No thanks. Twenty is plenty. Besides, did you have Stanford's permission to display the map?

Edited August 14, 2023 by GrayEagle

Cooke County Kid · August 13, 2023

Just as long as we are part of the twenty!

3 minutes ago, GrayEagle said:

No thanks. Twenty is plenty.

outoftown · August 13, 2023

2 hours ago, GrayEagle said:

No thanks. Twenty is plenty.

That is catchy. However, it appears that in terms of conference size, twenty is the new twelve. I am not sure its smart to follow the trend... but it IS the trend right now.

Edited August 13, 2023 by outoftown

scratch1976 · August 13, 2023

The new PAAC! 🍻

wardly · August 14, 2023

I don't see how the PAC 4 can cherry pick the MWC with their $34 million penalty to leave. However they could cherry pick the AAC with their $10 million penalty which would probably leave us out. Just a guess, but the only reason we were invited into the AAC was a hedge against SMU leaving. However if the PAC 4 raids the AAC for 6 to 8 schools I just don't see us as one of them. I would rather go back to the Sun Belt than CUSA.

meangreen11 · August 14, 2023

1 hour ago, wardly said:

I don't see how the PAC 4 can cherry pick the MWC with their $34 million penalty to leave. However they could cherry pick the AAC with their $10 million penalty which would probably leave us out. Just a guess, but the only reason we were invited into the AAC was a hedge against SMU leaving. However if the PAC 4 raids the AAC for 6 to 8 schools I just don't see us as one of them. I would rather go back to the Sun Belt than CUSA.

I seriously doubt they will kick anyone out. They are already preparing for law suits. I sense public sentiment on all this is starting to worry them. And what about tge student athletes having to travel from coast to coast to play? That’s BS!

Matt from A700 · August 14, 2023

Having the forgotten 4 come to the AAC would be some decent exposure for our conference, but selfishly we are not east enough to avoid being grouped with the PST teams if divisions came into play which is my only hesitation.

UNTLifer · August 14, 2023

2 hours ago, wardly said:

I don't see how the PAC 4 can cherry pick the MWC with their $34 million penalty to leave. However they could cherry pick the AAC with their $10 million penalty which would probably leave us out. Just a guess, but the only reason we were invited into the AAC was a hedge against SMU leaving. However if the PAC 4 raids the AAC for 6 to 8 schools I just don't see us as one of them. I would rather go back to the Sun Belt than CUSA.

Man, you’ve just evolved into a ray of sunshine in the last year or two.

NT80 · August 14, 2023

4 hours ago, wardly said:

I don't see how the PAC 4 can cherry pick the MWC with their $34 million penalty to leave. However they could cherry pick the AAC with their $10 million penalty which would probably leave us out. Just a guess, but the only reason we were invited into the AAC was a hedge against SMU leaving. However if the PAC 4 raids the AAC for 6 to 8 schools I just don't see us as one of them. I would rather go back to the Sun Belt than CUSA.

The AAC is only $10m to leave, but has like a 27 month give-notice provision to announce leaving, thus you're looking at now joining for the 2026 season! Lol

outoftown · August 14, 2023

9 hours ago, NT80 said:

The AAC is only $10m to leave, but has like a 27 month give-notice provision to announce leaving, thus you're looking at now joining for the 2026 season! Lol

That can be negotiated. Says so even in the bylaws. however that means exit fee for 25 (PAC4 schools NEED it to be 24) would be more like 20 million. It was for the three Big12 defectors... and those gave a longer notice (21 months actually) than these defectors would be giving. Here it would only be 11 months or even less. Aresco would have plenty of reason to say he wants more than what those 3 paid.

Edited August 14, 2023 by outoftown

keith · August 14, 2023

I believe most exit fees are paid or negotiated to be paid over time instead of a lump sum amount. I think Houston, UCF and Cincinnati are paying theirs over 14 years or something, so these exit fees are not a onerous as you would think if the annual benefit far exceeds the annual exit fee commitment.

Edited August 14, 2023 by keith

wardly · August 14, 2023

9 hours ago, UNTLifer said:

Man, you’ve just evolved into a ray of sunshine in the last year or two.

I guess it comes with being 80

Wag Tag · August 14, 2023

The PAC4 and the MWC need central time zone games to get more eyes. This is one of the reasons for the failure of the PAC12. Join the AAC then in 2025 cherry pick the MWC.

wardly · August 14, 2023

So I read that the Presidents of the PAC 12 members turned down $30 million per school and told ESPN they wanted $50 million even though USC and UCLA had left. The BIG 12 jumped in front of them and took the $30 million. With Texas and Oklahoma departing the conference recognized their true value while the PAC 12 Presidents did not. After that ESPN was no longer interested in the PAC 12.

cousin oliver · August 14, 2023

26 minutes ago, wardly said:

After that ESPN was no longer interested in the PAC 12.

But is that as much an indictment of the Pac12 or just a lack of interest out west with those late games and travel. Also seemed like during covid the Pac12 teams dropped out of games and seasons the quickest which probably damaged their value in the eyes of ESPN.

wardly · August 14, 2023

I really don't know. Basically the PAC 12 wanted BIG 10 money without UCLA and USC. The BIG 12, without Texas and Oklahoma, was offered about the same amount the PAC 12 turned down and took it. After that ESPN wasn't really interested in the PAC 12.

wardly · August 17, 2023

On 8/13/2023 at 1:49 AM, ScreamingEaglesFan said:

Saw this on Twitter and thought I'd share.

Drop Charlotte , add Colorado State and this might actually work out.

PlummMeanGreen · August 18, 2023

On 8/13/2023 at 11:58 PM, NT80 said:

The AAC is only $10m to leave, but has like a 27 month give-notice provision to announce leaving, thus you're looking at now joining for the 2026 season! Lol

And utsa is giving most their monies to their head football coach along with his 10 year contract, their AD & their school president. Doesn’t take long for a school to empty its coffers.
Still it’s like Cush’ told Jerry Maguire: “I just want to play some football!”

Sept. 2••3:00pm••DATCU••Stadium

wardly · August 18, 2023

On 8/14/2023 at 9:19 AM, cousin oliver said:

But is that as much an indictment of the Pac12 or just a lack of interest out west with those late games and travel. Also seemed like during covid the Pac12 teams dropped out of games and seasons the quickest which probably damaged their value in the eyes of ESPN.

From what I read high school participation has dropped in California as well as attendance at college football games.The straw that broke the camels back for the PAC 12 was when the presidents decided that their conference was worth BIG 10 money and turned down BIG 12 money. Wrong.