Is the FBS contraction starting?

[outoftown]

After years of expansion by the FBS level, are we headed the other way? With programs making deficits, the P5 making power moves and the courts making the whole endeavor likely to be more financially risky?

In any case Hawaii is seriously contemplating getting out it seems.

http://www.sbnation.com/college-football/2014/8/18/6043157/hawaii-football-program-budget-financial

now i get that Hawaii is a special case, in that geography is very particular and success has been lacking lately, but I still wonder if more are to start really contemplating giving up football.

If Hawaii really does shut down, I would of course also wonder with whom the MWC would replace them. Will they make a run at UNT? UTEP? NMstate or Idaho. Someone else? Maybe La.Tech? I think many C-USA programs would not mind changing over there right now. Or might they even try to snag one of those western AAC programs?.

Lots to ponder here.

[oldguystudent]

Oh man. I would hate to see Hawaii go under. That program has just been such an integral part of that community for so long.

[golfingomez]

I would imagine Hawaii has this discussion fairly often... their situation is tough... it's a long flight to go anywhere

[VideoEagle]

Not happening - see the other thread!

[buff64]

Do their players still have to furnish their own soap and towels for the fieldhouse ?

[Green Otaku]

I wouldn't mind a bottom part of FBS falling out to be honest for my own selfish reason. More recruits for us, same reason P5 want to keep that distinction from G5.

As far as MWC picking up anyone they only school that would seem interested is UTEP and they like to play other Texas schools, so it would be a hard choice. They could wait a few years and schedule OOC opponents when their schedule opens up. I don't see UNT or anyone else moving there unless some kind of block moved together.

[Cerebus]

Hawaii isn't going anywhere. They have 15k season ticket holders, and get a special payout from the MWC to help cover travel costs. The Hawaii AD made some comments trying to get the university to increase funding and it backfired on him. He has already back tracked.

If any place ever seriously considers dropping from FBS it will ULM and their 12 million dollar budget. However none of the leadership wants to give up the status FBS brings and they will fight tooth and nail to keep it.

[ColoradoEagle]

I was somewhat shocked that Idaho didn't drop down to FCS when the WAC folded. NMSU is a bit far away from other SBC schools, but they've been a full member of the conference before and have a pretty decent budget. Idaho is just...Idaho.

Edited August 20, 2014 by ColoradoEagle

[Cerebus]

Idaho is in a tough spot too, but they can probably survive by just taking paycheck game after paycheck game. I don't know if their leadership would prefer that over FCS.

ULM's budget is so small that paying any stipend maybe a bridge too far.

[untbowler]

Idaho is in a tough spot too, but they can probably survive by just taking paycheck game after paycheck game. I don't know if their leadership would prefer that over FCS.

ULM's budget is so small that paying any stipend maybe a bridge too far.

Idaho should drop and join the Big Sky which is a natural fit for them.

[Mean Green 93-98]

Idaho should drop and join the Big Sky which is a natural fit for them.

Easy to say as an outsider. But Idaho is a former Pac team, and has as many bowl victories since their return to 1A as we do. I don't think they like the idea of dropping any more than we would.

[UNT90]

Idaho should drop and join the Big Sky which is a natural fit for them.

Smack dab in the middle of the Dodge years, others could have said the same for us and the Southland Conference.

Back before a new stadium and after CUSA turned us down flat.

[pastorgrant]

Smack dab in the middle of the Dodge years, others could have said the same for us and the Southland Conference.

Back before a new stadium and after CUSA turned us down flat.

If we were in the MAC at the same time (geographical/competition comparison), people would be saying that a lot.

[GrayEagle]

Someone (NCAA?) is cooking numbers. Vito reported on his blog that only 20 teams revenue exceeded their expenses last year. That figure came from the NCAA and correctly referenced by Brett.

If you look at the Gender Equity Report that each college submits to the Department of Education there were 69 universities whose revenue exceeded their expenses and I suspect that two of them that didn't report (Air Force and Navy) had a surplus as well. Further, there were 45 (not counting Air Force and Navy) that had excesses of more than a million dollars. Army did report a 'profit' of 9+ million, probably because they don't have athletic scholarships as a part of their expenses. Hawaii, by the way, showed revenue of more than $10M over expenses.

North Texas had an excess of almost $4.4 million on revenue of just under $26M. Alabama had revenues of $143.393M and expenses of $109.071M for a 'profit' of $34.322M to lead all FBS teams. The Big 12 led the conferences with more than $90 million with only ten members. Baylor and TCU did not have total revenue exceed their expenses (probably due to high tuition costs). No one in the new AAC showed an excess but Connecticut and it was only 31 thousand dollars.

If paying living expenses comes to pass, the MAC and the Sun Belt might have to drop (or at least most of its members) down a classification because of low television revenue. The other three G5s are generally o.k. There could be an individual team or two that might feel the sting, depending on how deep private schools want to dig.