Future MAC

[minutefanjsf]

To balance this conversation, go read the X post - and so far 24 comments - from @TheHerdBros. It talks about the desperation of the MAC and about the top teams that are expected to leave. Maybe all the folks posting there are bozos. I have no idea.

The top teams in every league are always looking to move on. Look there PAC 10 implosion. This move by the league (AKA member schools) to get 18 million dollars is a move in the right direction to keep them. NIU paid only $2 million to join the MWC and the MWC is helping pay the $2.5 million exit fee. Leaving the MAC now will essentially be giving up $4 million (exit fee and shared Sac State money). UMass did not pay an entry fee to the MAC. Yes, it had an exit fee from A10. Unless a MAC team gets an invite to a P4, that $4 million price tag seems cost prohibitive. G6 leagues are not separated that much in terms of revenue to make it work.

[Steve81]

jsf agree the top schools are always looking to move on. Think schools will move if it will improve their position for the big shakeup or solidify their existing one. CUSA has been raid and raid and those schools are at some risk as the NCAA keeps tightening FBS transitions. Gloria Nevarez of the MWC and UMass Sports Management graduate and women's basketball scholarship player said, "It was important to transition NDSU right way because of concerns of the NCAA further tightening the ability of universities to move up."

That said, there are definitely tiers with the G6. The AAC and PAC12 at the top, near 7M per team media deals and best shot at the CFP spots. The AAC has no opportunities and already beefed up in 2021.

Sun Belt and MWC lead the middle tier with 2.5-2M, but as you say, those conferences are not significantly separated in revenue from the MAC and CUSA, which are the lower tier 800k and 750k per team media revenue. The hope is with some additions; the MAC will be joining the middle tier media. The MAC Press Conference Q & A will be interesting regarding additional teams* and media deal outlook. Also, for those that don't mind drive to Boston on February 19th, will be interesting to hear discussions of the Football team and MAC moves.
*Western Kentucky and Delaware are mentioned, but how much, little to possible. Illinois State is also mentioned but don’t think there is enough consensus to move up.

[ZooMass84]

jsf agree the top schools are always looking to move on. Think schools will move if it will improve their position for the big shakeup or solidify their existing one. CUSA has been raid and raid and those schools are at some risk as the NCAA keeps tightening FBS transitions. Gloria Nevarez of the MWC and UMass Sports Management graduate and women's basketball scholarship player said, "It was important to transition NDSU right way because of concerns of the NCAA further tightening the ability of universities to move up."

That said, there are definitely tiers with the G6. The AAC and PAC12 at the top, near 7M per team media deals and best shot at the CFP spots. The AAC has no opportunities and already beefed up in 2021.

Sun Belt and MWC lead the middle tier with 2.5-2M, but as you say, those conferences are not significantly separated in revenue from the MAC and CUSA, which are the lower tier 800k and 750k per team media revenue. The hope is with some additions; the MAC will be joining the middle tier media. The MAC Press Conference Q & A will be interesting regarding additional teams* and media deal outlook. Also, for those that don't mind drive to Boston on February 19th, will be interesting to hear discussions of the Football team and MAC moves.
*Western Kentucky and Delaware are mentioned, but how much, little to possible. Illinois State is also mentioned but don’t think there is enough consensus to move up.

But don't we (the MAC) have an expiring media contract that will be renegotiated very soon? 800k is an old number.

[minutefanjsf]

jsf agree the top schools are always looking to move on. Think schools will move if it will improve their position for the big shakeup or solidify their existing one. CUSA has been raid and raid and those schools are at some risk as the NCAA keeps tightening FBS transitions. Gloria Nevarez of the MWC and UMass Sports Management graduate and women's basketball scholarship player said, "It was important to transition NDSU right way because of concerns of the NCAA further tightening the ability of universities to move up."

That said, there are definitely tiers with the G6. The AAC and PAC12 at the top, near 7M per team media deals and best shot at the CFP spots. The AAC has no opportunities and already beefed up in 2021.

Sun Belt and MWC lead the middle tier with 2.5-2M, but as you say, those conferences are not significantly separated in revenue from the MAC and CUSA, which are the lower tier 800k and 750k per team media revenue. The hope is with some additions; the MAC will be joining the middle tier media. The MAC Press Conference Q & A will be interesting regarding additional teams* and media deal outlook. Also, for those that don't mind drive to Boston on February 19th, will be interesting to hear discussions of the Football team and MAC moves.
*Western Kentucky and Delaware are mentioned, but how much, little to possible. Illinois State is also mentioned but don’t think there is enough consensus to move up.

But don't we (the MAC) have an expiring media contract that will be renegotiated very soon? 800k is an old number.

As Corey said on Twitter, this money grab may signal that those negotiations are not going so well.

[Steve81]

Is this the post you are referring to?

Corey Schneider
@lifeofschneids Replying to
@RealMike191 and @CurryHicksSage
NIU yes, Ohio no. Not trying to be hyperbolic, but the addition of UMass might be the downfall of the conference and its the MAC’s fault. Could’ve held UMass over the barrel in order to return, but that didn’t happen whatsoever and they once again bought UMass’s empty promises.

Since UMass took the NIL in house, think he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Time will tell with the MAC contract.

[MikeUMA]

Is this the post you are referring to?

Corey Schneider
@lifeofschneids Replying to
@RealMike191 and @CurryHicksSage
NIU yes, Ohio no. Not trying to be hyperbolic, but the addition of UMass might be the downfall of the conference and its the MAC’s fault. Could’ve held UMass over the barrel in order to return, but that didn’t happen whatsoever and they once again bought UMass’s empty promises.

Since UMass took the NIL in house, think he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Time will tell with the MAC contract.

Fair that Schneids may have an axe to grind, but that doesn't make him wrong.

[Sheck]

We had the option of going CUSA as well. The MAC couldn't have "held UMass over the barrel in order to return".

[minutefanjsf]

Is this the post you are referring to?

Corey Schneider
@lifeofschneids Replying to
@RealMike191 and @CurryHicksSage
NIU yes, Ohio no. Not trying to be hyperbolic, but the addition of UMass might be the downfall of the conference and its the MAC’s fault. Could’ve held UMass over the barrel in order to return, but that didn’t happen whatsoever and they once again bought UMass’s empty promises.

Since UMass took the NIL in house, think he has a bit of a chip on his shoulder. Time will tell with the MAC contract.

Fair that Schneids may have an axe to grind, but that doesn't make him wrong.

Agree.

[Steve81]

Well, there is some truth to it as both the PAC12 and MWC deals came in light. Still think mid 20's to high 20's with 14 teams for the next deal is possible.

[Old Cage]

“Scoville” response to Schneids just now:

“The real people who got duped are UMass fans and the entire FBS fantasy. Yes, facilities upgrade. That’s the key. Now we’re fucked in a broken league. The hilarious- yet tragic part- is that you and your mortal enemy Bamford both pitched the same two bit carny show.”

[InnervisionsUMASS]

^

I certainly understand the concern with the MAC, considering we were forced to settle because of previous failures to move.

[doubledribble]

“ The Mid-American Conference today announced the addition of Sacramento State as a football-only affiliate member beginning July 1, 2026, for a five-year term.
The Sacramento State football program has won seven conference titles, including three consecutive Big Sky championships from 2019-2022, and was just one of just 12 FCS programs to win at least seven games in five of the last six seasons. During that time, the Hornets made four NCAA FCS Playoff appearances and held a top-25 ranking for 50 weeks.
“This partnership will immediately strengthen the Mid-American Conference’s competitiveness, and it will provide flexibility for the future,” said Geoffrey S. Mearns, Council of Presidents Chair and President of Ball State University. “In this period of dynamic transformation, we believe we must be proactive and innovative. This relationship demonstrates the enduring viability of our conference, and it provides our member institutions with additional confidence.”

“After months of what university president Luke Wood describes as "disruptive marketing,” Sacramento State has completed its years-long goal of membership into the NCAA’s top football division, FBS.
Sac State will pay an $18 million entry fee into the league ($6 million the first year) and $5 million in an NCAA FBS entry fee, as well as accepting zero conference distribution over that stretch and covering the air travel costs for all visiting MAC football teams (an additional $2-4 million over the five years). The total price for the move (the entry fees and the travel costs) stands to exceed $25 million. All of this to compete in a division where Sac State’s budget will be dwarfed by power conference giants?
It’s left so many inside and outside of college athletics asking a question: Why? “It is putting the university on the map,” Wood said in an interview Monday with Yahoo Sports. In short, Sacramento State views this promotion as a branding and marketing play for the university, where the FBS moniker, nationally televised MAC games and path to bowls and the College Football Playoff brings eyeballs that, Wood says, you just don’t get at the FCS level.
“Part of what we need to be able to do is market ourselves not just in-state but also out of state,” Wood said. “The lack of exposure in FCS does have an impact on recruiting students, especially out of state. You need out-of-state students to ensure your university is viable.” Is it all worth it? “The whole point is to make sure Sacramento State is a flagship university,” Wood said. “We are a case study in disruptive marketing. People would say North Dakota State did it the right way. Well, we can’t wait around to win 10 national championships.”

[minutefanjsf]

“Scoville” response to Schneids just now:

“The real people who got duped are UMass fans and the entire FBS fantasy. Yes, facilities upgrade. That’s the key. Now we’re fucked in a broken league. The hilarious- yet tragic part- is that you and your mortal enemy Bamford both pitched the same two bit carny show.”

This dude is an anti FBS guy. That response was to me.

[Steve81]

“Scoville” response to Schneids just now:

“The real people who got duped are UMass fans and the entire FBS fantasy. Yes, facilities upgrade. That’s the key. Now we’re fucked in a broken league. The hilarious- yet tragic part- is that you and your mortal enemy Bamford both pitched the same two bit carny show.”

This dude is an anti FBS guy. That response was to me.

People post all kinds of stuff. Went looking for the 990 form and got a balance sheet graph and the 2024 figure for the MAC are fine plus this cash infusion.
Revenues higher than Expenses, Assets higher than Liabilities.

[InnervisionsUMASS]

Hopefully we improve and the MAC serves its purpose for us in the short term. And then hopefully we're gone to greener pastures and we don't need to worry about the "future MAC"... But it all starts with football and basketball improving... we're fucked otherwise.