Conference Realignment

[MikeUMA]

MAC drops a hype video for the Sac State add, with audio from Kanye.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CT3gJ14Pp/
Seriously guys? There was no better choice??

Anyway, interesting that the affiliate agreement is termed for 5 years. Wondering if the MAC will eventually give Sac State the same deal they gave us in 2014 (go all-in or leave), or maybe they'll just look to extract more revenue out of them.
https://getsomemaction.com/news/2026/2/ ... ember.aspx

[InnervisionsUMASS]

MAC drops a hype video for the Sac State add, with audio from Kanye.
https://www.facebook.com/share/v/1CT3gJ14Pp/
Seriously guys? There was no better choice??

Anyway, interesting that the affiliate agreement is termed for 5 years. Wondering if the MAC will eventually give Sac State the same deal they gave us in 2014 (go all-in or leave), or maybe they'll just look to extract more revenue out of them.
https://getsomemaction.com/news/2026/2/ ... ember.aspx

Considering Sac State is paying $18mil to join, I highly doubt they have the "all-in or out" clause... at least not in the sense that the MAC can trigger it ahead of the contract duration completing.

UMass was only in that position because Temple abandoned us.

[jjmc85]

Anyway, interesting that the affiliate agreement is termed for 5 years. Wondering if the MAC will eventually give Sac State the same deal they gave us in 2014 (go all-in or leave), or maybe they'll just look to extract more revenue out of them.
https://getsomemaction.com/news/2026/2/ ... ember.aspx

I think that’s probably close to the plan for both sides-minus the all sports offer. Sac State wanted to be FBS but couldn’t unless a conference invited them. They tried and failed to get an NCAA waiver to upgrade as an independent. I doubt they’ll want to stick around in a conference paying everyone’s travel fees for a long time. I bet the plan is to give the MAC money and bail as soon as they are able to, and I bet the MAC is fine with that. Anyone else from FCS want to pay about $20 million and travel for the road games without taking a share of the media revenue and be gone in five years? MAC should add them too

[ZooMass84]

in 2030 this all breaks off and the GOR kicks in. The top 24 x 2 teams will have their own super FBS league and mega TV deals. Pretty much Big 10/SEC and just the top of the other P4's and Notre Dame. so 48 teams and they will have their own playoff just like the NFL. then the remaining 80 or 90 or so teams will do their own thing. You have to have a stadium that holds 50,000 plus and huge endowments etc.

[ZooMass84]

Chancellor Reyes without a doubt made a great decision. If we stayed in the A10 we would eventually be back in FCS. Indy football is a non starter unless you are named Notre Dame. I think UConn will be back in a conference pretty soon. The Big East isn't what it was 40 years ago.

[mew3782]

in 2030 this all breaks off and the GOR kicks in. The top 24 x 2 teams will have their own super FBS league and mega TV deals. Pretty much Big 10/SEC and just the top of the other P4's and Notre Dame. so 48 teams and they will have their own playoff just like the NFL. then the remaining 80 or 90 or so teams will do their own thing. You have to have a stadium that holds 50,000 plus and huge endowments etc.

Slightly off-topic but how amazing would it be if those 2x24 conferences included a relegation and promotion component? I know American sports loves their socialist protections regarding how leagues are configured but that would be fun -

[KahunaK]

Interesting read. I think there are a bunch of schools trying to evaluate their viability in FBS. I think that after the Big10 and Sec are done with adding schools, then the future of all the other schools will be clearer. Beyond the Power4, there will be a lot of soul searching. It will all depend on $$$$.

Murray: Recent cost of joining FBS shows why Nevada football will never drop a division https://share.google/2gV0VSS0bkjwxAqRu

[Uminuteman]

Slightly off-topic but how amazing would it be if those 2x24 conferences included a relegation and promotion component? I know American sports loves their socialist protections regarding how leagues are configured but that would be fun -

That would be awesome. The NBA should do that to fix their tanking problem. Last 2 teams go to the G-League.

[inthescoop]

Slightly off-topic but how amazing would it be if those 2x24 conferences included a relegation and promotion component? I know American sports loves their socialist protections regarding how leagues are configured but that would be fun -

That would be awesome. The NBA should do that to fix their tanking problem. Last 2 teams go to the G-League.

Yeah but the relegation leagues don't have a draft, all players are acquired via free agency

[Steve81]

This is a juicy article: https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/coll ... 0260220105

Can only bring the article up on my phone but

"Distinguishing yourself as a conference in this changing landscape is more important now that it's ever been" a MAC athletic director said. "The chips are all flying in the air and everything is moving... The status quo is not sustainable".

" I do think some of the top C-USA teams are ripe for the taking." another league administrator said."

Stay tuned!?

The article goes on listing the top of CUSA and FCS. They included Liberty, mutual interest still exists with Western Kentucky and mentions Delaware. Mentions some football only including UConn, South Dakota State, Montana and Montana State. Of course, a jab mentioning King Saud University and 2 billion dollars fee among friends.

I'll type some more"

Middle Tennessee State ... My read is they remain reluctant to make the move.

Delaware: If the MAC wants to build east around Massachusetts -- and weaken a competing league while it's at it --- this is another C-USA school to watch.