Texas State "heavy favorite" to join Pac-12, LaTech favored to join Sun Belt

[Stonewall]

The Ragin Cajuns want no part of LaTech joining the Sun Belt. I believe that would be a hard sell. https://forumeus.com/showthread.php/333 ... Belt/page4

Both LaLa and Monroe are supporting La Tech’s bid to join the Sunbelt at this point.

[AppSt94]

The Ragin Cajuns want no part of LaTech joining the Sun Belt. I believe that would be a hard sell. https://forumeus.com/showthread.php/333 ... Belt/page4

Both LaLa and Monroe are supporting La Tech’s bid to join the Sunbelt at this point.

Oh how times have changed.

[BallantyneApp]

The Ragin Cajuns want no part of LaTech joining the Sun Belt. I believe that would be a hard sell. https://forumeus.com/showthread.php/333 ... Belt/page4

Both LaLa and Monroe are supporting La Tech’s bid to join the Sunbelt at this point.

Hopefully the East still has enough political power to let the Sun Belt hold for a year or two and see what shakes out.

Everts was good at this sort of thing.

[APPdiesel]

The Ragin Cajuns want no part of LaTech joining the Sun Belt. I believe that would be a hard sell. https://forumeus.com/showthread.php/333 ... Belt/page4

Both LaLa and Monroe are supporting La Tech’s bid to join the Sunbelt at this point.

What fans want is rarely what the suits want.

[AppStFan1]

The Ragin Cajuns want no part of LaTech joining the Sun Belt. I believe that would be a hard sell. https://forumeus.com/showthread.php/333 ... Belt/page4

Both LaLa and Monroe are supporting La Tech’s bid to join the Sunbelt at this point.

We should sit back and see what happens with other leagues before adding anyone other than ECU, Memphis, or Tulane. I would take any of those 3 now. Not surprised they changed their tune on La Tech though.

[AppStFan1]

Interesting here. I would jump at ECU if they say yes.

https://x.com/Schultzycast/status/1935305355149352990

[APPdiesel]

Sounds like we’re doing our due diligence. ECU will say they want promises of money to come and Gill will say “we make no promises and the money will be what you generate once you’re here”.

[BambooRdApp]

Interesting here. I would jump at ECU if they say yes.

https://x.com/Schultzycast/status/1935305355149352990

It's good for baseball if they come over to SBC.

[AppSt94]

I think some more dominos have to fall for this to become attractive for ECU.

[AppWyo]

I do not believe that one of their fans sees as much value in joining the Sun Belt. https://eastcarolina.sportswar.com/mess ... 0013ed554d

On the other hand, I can see The AAC pouching The Sunbelt in making us a better league while maintaining our position of “some importance” in college sports. Meanwhile, we’ll continue seeking high ground for our desired future state of being in a better conference!

The Sun Belt was not poached by the AAC in the last realignment so for the Sun Belt Schools it looks like the Sun Belt was a better fit than the AAC the last time around. With the addition of CLT, FAU, North Texas, UAB, and UTSA. It seemed like they were just taking what they could get. I believe the AAC took a real hit when SMU, Houston, Cincinati, and UCF were poached. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_ ... Conference

[Stonewall]

I can confirm that the conversation has taken place.

[AtlAppMan]

I do not believe that one of their fans sees as much value in joining the Sun Belt. https://eastcarolina.sportswar.com/mess ... 0013ed554d

On the other hand, I can see The AAC pouching The Sunbelt in making us a better league while maintaining our position of “some importance” in college sports. Meanwhile, we’ll continue seeking high ground for our desired future state of being in a better conference!

The Sun Belt was not poached by the AAC in the last realignment so for the Sun Belt Schools it looks like the Sun Belt was a better fit than the AAC the last time around. With the addition of CLT, FAU, North Texas, UAB, and UTSA. It seemed like they were just taking what they could get. I believe the AAC took a real hit when SMU, Houston, Cincinati, and UCF were poached. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/American_ ... Conference

IMO, there are two parts of the equation that drive the movement, 1) money (biggest part) 2) perceived prestige/pecking order of conference.

The AAC in the past has had more TV money per school and more prestige in the pecking order as they were descendants of the Big East. However, the AAC has gradually lost a lot of money with each round of reorg which is a fact. They have also lost prestige/rank in overall pecking order as they have lost most of their marque schools. At this point there are very few left. As a result, as the money continues to dry up and there is no more brands left in the AAC, it will be relegated to just another middle G5. That is why nobody from SBC went to AAC in the last round of reorgs.

For App, the only hope is we jump to ACC at some future date or stay in SBC and ECU and a few others join us.

[Stonewall]

I am told that ECU is a “no thank you “. Three , maybe four schools being discussed. There is reportedly no consensus. La Tech is pushing hard but if the vote were held today I don’t believe they have the votes. They bring very little to the table . A strong , “ let’s wait and see who might interested as things develop “ argument is gaining momentum.

[JTApps1]

I am told that ECU is a “no thank you “. Three , maybe four schools being discussed. There is reportedly no consensus. La Tech is pushing hard but if the vote were held today I don’t believe they have the votes. They bring very little to the table . A strong , “ let’s wait and see who might interested as things develop “ argument is gaining momentum.

ECU is the perfect fit, but the timing isn't right for them given the current financials. I like the idea of holding at 13 if/when Texas State leaves, because we all know some potentially major changes are on the horizon in 2030 (likely announced earlier). I think App, JMU, Marshall, and even ODU will work closely on whatever the future holds. I'd be very happy in a conference that included those schools and ECU.

[Saint3333]

Stay at 13, do away with divisions, have three permanent partners for football.

App - GA S, Marshall
GS - GA St., App
GA St. - GS, CCU
JMU - CCU, ODU
Marshall - App, ODU
CCU - JMU, GA St.
ODU - Marshall, JMU

Ark St/ULL/ULM
Troy/USA/USM

[AppWyo]

Stay at 13, do away with divisions, have three permanent partners for football.

App - GA S, Marshall
GS - GA St., App
GA St. - GS, CCU
JMU - CCU, ODU
Marshall - App, ODU
CCU - JMU, GA St.
ODU - Marshall, JMU

Ark St/ULL/ULM
Troy/USA/USM

The divisions are what makes the SBC work, because the division actually make geographical sense. That was the problems with all the other conference's divisions, they made no geographical sense.

On another note, would you be upset if CLT joined the Sun Belt instead of ECU?

[AppWyo]

Stay at 13, do away with divisions, have three permanent partners for football.

App - GA S, Marshall
GS - GA St., App
GA St. - GS, CCU
JMU - CCU, ODU
Marshall - App, ODU
CCU - JMU, GA St.
ODU - Marshall, JMU

Ark St/ULL/ULM
Troy/USA/USM

The divisions are what makes the SBC work, because the division actually make geographical sense. That was the problems with all the other conference's divisions, they made no geographical sense.

On another note, would you be upset if CLT joined the Sun Belt instead of ECU?

[Saint3333]

I’d prefer ECU, but UNCC over LA Tech definitely and WKU to a lesser extent.

Moving away from divisions would likely cost us one flight every other year in football with the permanent partner set up.

[Stonewall]

I’m told a consideration is the revenue split between the schools. With one less , everyone’s share gets a bit higher.Both TV and the TSU buyout. Another incentive, perhaps to wait and get it right .

[beav910]

Makes sense, ECU probably feels like they can hop into the Sun Belt any time they want. Why leave better money now when they can just leave later if need be?