New Deal for CUSA Lucrative for Marshall

Harry · February 11, 2012

Now, am I thrilled with the prospect of this far-flung conference, which encompasses 13 states and five time zones? Not so much. Fascinated, perhaps, but not thrilled.

One question remains, however.

What are Marshall's other options?

The answer is: There aren't any. That's why Marshall officials are making the best of the situation, which is what the Herd fan-base should be doing as well.

Besides, this move actually could be lucrative.

Memphis, UCF, Houston and SMU each have to ante up $6.63 million to leave Conference USA, according to Assistant Commissioner for Public Affairs Courtney Morrison-Archer. There is a $500,000 exit fee and the remainder is each school's portion of the league's television package.

That will produce a sum of $26,520,000, which will be divided among the eight remaining league members, according to Morrison-Archer. That means Marshall should realize a windfall of about $3,315,000.

Then, there's the new television contract for the new conference. C-USA signed a $48 million deal with Fox Sports a year ago. Meanwhile, the MWC is five seasons into a 10-year, $120 million deal involving CBS and Comcast.

That is why both leagues have to dissolve, first, and then reform. By dissolving, that voids all existing television contracts. That's where it gets interesting.

According to industry sources, the new league's status as the largest FBS conference in America and the fact it would span five time zones would likely put it in line ahead of the Big East Conference for a new television rights contract.