UH, Rice likely to pad wallets in new conference homes

[Harry]

National presence cast

The yet-to-be-named conference will span five time zones, two coasts and beyond.

"We'll be the first truly national superconference," said UNLV president Neal Smatresk, who is chairman of the Mountain West's board of directors. "Sixteen teams, five time zones, eyeballs in most of the major markets, and we think that improves our brand and our market value for each of the institutions."

Smatresk said meetings will take place in the coming months to hammer out details. While it's not a certainty the league will add other members, if it does it likely will look to teams from the Sun Belt (North Texas, Florida International) and Western Athletic Conference (Louisiana Tech, Utah State, UTSA) and possibly even Temple.

If the BCS and/or the automatic qualifier status that comes with it dissolves when the BCS contract expires after the 2013 season, Smatresk believes the league will be in a solid position.

"We think this will really improve the presence, particularly of our football programs, on a national scale," Smatresk said.

Read More: http://www.chron.com/sports/college/article/UH-Rice-likely-to-pad-wallets-in-new-conference-3334932.php

[FirefightnRick]

Well at least we are finally getting a mention.

There's still hope.

Rick

[UNTcrazy727]

I think it's just a matter of time on us getting into the CUSA/ MWC alliance

[Rudy]

I think it's just a matter of time on us getting into the CUSA/ MWC alliance

UNfortunatly, time is something we don't have.

[UNTcrazy727]

UNfortunatly, time is something we don't have.

Why?

From what most people are saying it looks like they're taking this alliance to 24 members. Whenever they do expand I believe we'll be one of the first.