Pac-12 reportedly has nine finalists for next add

[Green Otaku]

1 hour ago, JimboF said:

So what's the general consensus on this site regarding North Texas' desire to join the Pac? 

Most probably feel if the money is right we should try to go. More travel, later start times, possible to lose ESPN exposure (this year has been the most we have been on linear TV in our history), losing eastern exposure which is the most heavily populated area, etc. There are some really good brands in the new PAC, but we gave up 2 years or CUSA revenue, and would have to do that again and pay a hefty exit fee so the money has to be there.

[Cooke County Kid]

Show us the money!

[JimboF]

Perhaps North Texas could provide more than two years' notice to the AAC, in which case the AAC exit fee may be reduced to a much more reasonable amount. 

[JimboF]

I understand the attraction of playing against Memphis and Tulane, but I'm thinking those two schools might join the ACC in the not-too-distant future, especially if FSU, Clemson, and UNC join the SEC or Big Ten. If and when Memphis and Tulane depart, the AAC won't be nearly as desirable, and the Pac option would look outstanding for North Texas. The thing about the Pac is many of its schools will be almost impossible for another conference to poach based on their western geography. It certainly seems that the setup of USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington will be the exception rather than otherwise. I really believe that the newly configured Pac will have loads of staying power. 

[C Rod]

16 hours ago, Jonnyeagle said:

Absolutely.  And the Alamodome isn't the dump that @emmitt01 and others claim it to be. 

Exactly. And the city continues to make investments into the Alamodome. https://marmonmok.com/projects/alamodome-2025-final-four-renovations/

[JimboF]

As for Cal and Stanford, it seems like their situation may be untenable in the long run. It may not happen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them eventually join the new Pac rather than continuing to travel as much as a commercial flight crew. 

[Green Otaku]

37 minutes ago, JimboF said:

As for Cal and Stanford, it seems like their situation may be untenable in the long run. It may not happen, but I wouldn't be surprised to see them eventually join the new Pac rather than continuing to travel as much as a commercial flight crew. 

Won't ever happen. They would go independent and park other sports in the WCC if they needed to before rejoining the PAC.

[keith]

We should absolutely be pursuing membership in the PAC.  I'm not sure how much longer the fractional shares from the AAC goes on, but getting half (or less) the payout that your conference mates (peers) are getting places us at a competitive disadvantage.  Be proactive for once and make the case on what UNT can bring to the PAC as a member and why we are the best option for any desired expansion into Texas.  We can't afford to sit idly by waiting for the PAC to come to us with an offer (that may never come).  

[wardly]

"Proactive" at UNT is an "oxymoron."

[HouCat]

On 3/26/2025 at 7:52 PM, JimboF said:

I think neither Texas State nor UTSA is more deserving of a place in the newly configured Pac than North Texas. However, Texas State can exit the Sun Belt with minimal difficulty (low buyout), which gives the Bobcats an inside track. It also seems like UTSA as a whole is more interested than North Texas in moving to the Pac (despite public denials). Furthermore, I think Texas State's rivalry with UTSA would prove useful/meaningful to the Pac, in addition to providing for really easy travel between San Marcos and San Antonio. I mean, it matters that the distance between Denton and San Marcos is more than 250 miles, whereas the distance between San Antonio and San Marcos is not even 50 miles. Regardless of which school(s) is/are chosen, fans in Texas would be really excited to see Boise State football games in Texas, Gonzaga basketball games in Texas, and Oregon State baseball games in Texas. I know I'd be really interested in traveling to Colorado and San Diego to watch Bobcat athletic teams play road games. Perhaps we won't have to wait much longer to see what happens. 

This is a fair take but I'd say UNT is a more deserving/attractive candidate than UTSA. You guys certainly have them beat in facilities, fanbase and academics.

Who knows what will happen but I'd rather have the Mean Green on our schedule.

[HouCat]

On 3/27/2025 at 9:18 AM, NT80 said:

Baseball is on the Master Plan.  It's all about funding.  UNT has spent probably $150 million on Athletics facilities and infrastructure in the past 15 years.   What has TSU and UTSA spent in the same time frame?

No idea what we've spent dollarwise but I know we've renovated/expanded the football stadium, basketball arena and baseball/softball complex during that time.

[NT80]

2 hours ago, JimboF said:

Perhaps North Texas could provide more than two years' notice to the AAC, in which case the AAC exit fee may be reduced to a much more reasonable amount. 

Yes, joining for the 2027 season would only be $10 mil if notice is given by the end of May 2025 (this year).

Here is the breakdown from what I can find.  

Leaving the America Athletic Conference for a new wave Pac-12 will be an expensive endeavor. Pete Thamel of ESPN reported that the exit cost for AAC schools to depart the conference is "nearly" $27.5 million per school for them to join the Pac-12 for the 2026 season.Sep 21, 2024

 

• Standard Exit Fee:

  The AAC's bylaws mandate a 27-month notice period and a $10 million exit fee for schools leaving the conference. 

[Tommy Gadberry]

47 minutes ago, HouCat said:

No idea what we've spent dollarwise but I know we've renovated/expanded the football stadium, basketball arena and baseball/softball complex during that time.

Any idea how you guys compare to UTSA in terms of budget?   I know most of our fans would like to bring you guys in the fold.   I keep hearing that UTSA has no money and is doing it with smoke and mirrors and was interested in your opinion on that.

[HouCat]

14 minutes ago, Tommy Gadberry said:

Any idea how you guys compare to UTSA in terms of budget?   I know most of our fans would like to bring you guys in the fold.   I keep hearing that UTSA has no money and is doing it with smoke and mirrors and was interested in your opinion on that.

Looks like we're close as far as the athletics budget--we're at $44m for 2024-2025 and they're at $48m. 

I don't have a clue as to the quality of UTSA's finances so I won't speculate on that. But I do know our new President is all in on athletics so I expect our budget will to continue to grow at a nice pace.

[RBP79]

I wasn't  too thrilled about the PAC. But I'm  starting to come around to the idea. 

9 hours ago, HouCat said:

Looks like we're close as far as the athletics budget--we're at $44m for 2024-2025 and they're at $48m. 

I don't have a clue as to the quality of UTSA's finances so I won't speculate on that. But I do know our new President is all in on athletics so I expect our budget will to continue to grow at a nice pace.

Is this the same President that kicked the BB teams out the "The Snake Pit" for the NIT?

[wardly]

12 hours ago, RBP79 said:

I wasn't  too thrilled about the PAC. But I'm  starting to come around to the idea. 

Is this the same President that kicked the BB teams out the "The Snake Pit" for the NIT?

He is the only President that we have, so that's a yes.

[Matt from A700]

On 3/22/2025 at 10:12 AM, ipd054 said:

John Canzano reported Wednesday the Pac-12 essentially has nine finalists for its next addition to the conference, that list including Nevada, UNLV, Memphis, Tulane, Rice, Texas State, USF, UTSA and North Texas.

Not sure this is news. If anything, I'm disappointed this list hasn't been dwiddled down... Rice still being on there is dumb.

[NT80]

10 hours ago, Matt from A700 said:

Not sure this is news. If anything, I'm disappointed this list hasn't been dwiddled down... Rice still being on there is dumb.

That's not an accurate list.  Nevada and UNLV have already signed away their grant of media rights to the MWC, locking them in until like 2032.  Most outlets think the Pac will focus on Texas schools next after they get their media deal and court case done.