More conference realignment talk

[MurphysTillClose]

Brett McMurphy
@Brett_McMurphy
Gonzaga leaving West Coast Conference to join Pac-12, source told
@ActionNetworkHQ
. Pac-12 still needs minimum of two football members by 2026, but Gonzaga, even w/out a football team, will receive a full conference revenue share in Pac-12, source said

full share without football? good for them

[The Sultan]

full share without football? good for them

Exactly. That will be more than they would have gotten in the BE.

[The Sultan]

There are conflicting reports on the Gonzaga news BTW.

[MDMU04]

https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/1838299103261868275

The plot thickens

[Billy Hoyle]

Rothstein saying it isn't done. But he does get fed info directly from the WCC so maybe it's an issue that Gonzaga hasn't officially told the WCC offices.

EDIT: one more source saying it's not done, but not denying it will happen:

https://x.com/awfulannouncing/status/1838298245573021706?s=46&t=pbQvTCG8wePYVC_wO6HYAw

[wadesworld]

Bummer.  Should've brought them into the BE.

[MUbiz]

Brett McMurphy
@Brett_McMurphy
Gonzaga leaving West Coast Conference to join Pac-12, source told
@ActionNetworkHQ
. Pac-12 still needs minimum of two football members by 2026, but Gonzaga, even w/out a football team, will receive a full conference revenue share in Pac-12, source said

Per rothstein - zags ain't moving. We got a source off

https://x.com/JonRothstein/status/1838299103261868275?t=LXMRd9nP1GtoJQg9z6Vq2Q&s=19

[WhiteTrash]

Exactly. That will be more than they would have gotten in the BE.

Are we sure about that?

"The MW's current television deal is worth $270 million over those six years with non-Boise State schools getting roughly $3.5 million per year and the Broncos getting an additional $1.8 million bonus annually. Entering its television negotiations, I've pinpointed doubling the current rights deal as a success. That's basically what the Big East has done, if the Sportico estimate is accurate. That would be a lofty goal for the MW to hit, but if the Big East doubled its deal, the MW could be in line for the same."

If the P12 is on par with the MWC, then I would guess Gonzaga will do about as well as the BE.

[The Sultan]

I think the P12 would do better than the MWC, otherwise what's the point. But it looks like it doesn't matter.

Anyway, with the AAC schools staying put, it may not be a bad idea for the two conferences just to merge and pretend the last couple of weeks didn't happen.

[WhiteTrash]

I think the P12 would do better than the MWC, otherwise what's the point. But it looks like it doesn't matter.

Anyway, with the AAC schools staying put, it may not be a bad idea for the two conferences just to merge and pretend the last couple of weeks didn't happen.

I think the P12 would do better than the MWC also, hence they might be on par with the BE. But as you say, doesn't matter now.

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

UConn as football only to PAC-12 if Gonzaga does go?

[WhiteTrash]

UConn as football only to PAC-12 if Gonzaga does go?

Would either party even be interested?

[The Sultan]

So apparently Air Force, UNLV and San Jose State have decided to stick with the MWC. Meaning the only two schools left are Utah State and Nevada. Honestly they should just figure out a way to pretend this never happened and merge.

[brewcity77]

Sounds like UNLV & Nevada are a package deal, but the P12 doesn't want Nevada. Wonder if they'll reconsider with so many refusals.

[TAMU, Knower of Ball]

Imagine the sales pitch,  "Come join a conference that UTSA and San Jose St feel too good for"

[The Sultan]

There is some talk that the MWC schools are staying united here to force a merger.

[WhiteTrash]

There is some talk that the MWC schools are staying united here to force a merger.

Makes some sense.

[The Sultan]

Dan Wolken reports that Memphis approached the Big East about putting all non football sports there with football in the Pac 12. And the BE was wary due to cultural fit.

[WhiteTrash]

Dan Wolken reports that Memphis approached the Big East about putting all non football sports there with football in the Pac 12. And the BE was wary due to cultural fit.

The would fit well in the Big12 with Kansas.

[The Sultan]

The would fit well in the Big12 with Kansas.

Who has no interest in them.

[WhiteTrash]

Who has no interest in them.

Agreed, just brainstorming cultural fits. Does ENRON have a conference?

[MU Fan in Connecticut]

Dan Wolken reports that Memphis approached the Big East about putting all non football sports there with football in the Pac 12. And the BE was wary due to cultural fit.

Do it but impose some financial penalties if they don't meet some xyz criteria.

[SaveOD238]

Dan Wolken reports that Memphis approached the Big East about putting all non football sports there with football in the Pac 12. And the BE was wary due to cultural fit.

This implies that the PAC approached Memphis without inviting all their sports to join.  Which is certainly possible but also pretty stupid.  I wouldn't put it past the PAC12 leadership though.

That or the school with the closest ties to nationwide shipping logistics (FedEx) is worried about travel, which also makes no sense.

[Billy Hoyle]

So apparently Air Force, UNLV and San Jose State have decided to stick with the MWC. Meaning the only two schools left are Utah State and Nevada. Honestly they should just figure out a way to pretend this never happened and merge.

Agreed. Basically Oregon State and Wazzu took the money they got from the Pac-12 defections and spent it to recreate the MWC, minus a few schools they viewed as inferior (Nevada, New Mexico, SJSU). The MWC may have lost teams but financially they are coming out the winner here.

[Billy Hoyle]

I think the P12 would do better than the MWC, otherwise what's the point. But it looks like it doesn't matter.

Anyway, with the AAC schools staying put, it may not be a bad idea for the two conferences just to merge and pretend the last couple of weeks didn't happen.

$27.5 million buyout/departure fee for the AAC schools. The Pac didn't want them enough to pay that.