Merger vs Scheduling Alliance

[shaft]

With more signs pointing to full merger than scheduling alliance, one thing no one is talking about is the possibility of some sort of combination of the two. While the schools are working their way out of the current conference it is possible to operate in a scheduling alliance with each other until the new conference is ready to go. This let's CUSA hang out and collect Memphis' buyout, while the alliance renegotiates its TV deal.

The bad news about this is it means they could delay adding teams for one season while they work everything out.

[GrayEagle]

I've missed the signs that point to a full merger. In fact, I was under the impression that that idea was pretty much canned. The losses in NCAA distributions, exit fees and reduction to one guaranteed tournament spot was to run into the millions.

Nothing has been finalized but my understanding is that they are trying to move toward a joint TV contract and some type of inter-league game or games. One president was quoted that they had come to far to leave things status quo. Supposedly there is to be an announcement within the next two months on how many will be added.

[shaft]

UAB & UTEP's Board of Regents have voted to authorize the school presidents to change conference, which is a pretty good sign. One of the major hold ups to a full merger seems to be leaving money on the table from the departing schools, by shifting to scheduling alliance then first, they can keep that cash.