How long before the AAC implodes?

[LanceShock]

Whether or not WSU has regrets in 10 years will depend on how far the fallout extends when the Big XII implodes. If the fallout from the machinations of the power conferences don't extend much past the AAC and trap WSU in a much weakened AAC, then maybe it will be regretted. It would depend on how the resulting AAC would be composed and what other opportunities WSU would have in the conference realignment fallout. I would love to see what insights TheAsianSensation has on what the fallout of the likely Big XII implosion will be when their contract ends.

Games on espn+ will be a downgrade for people with cable/satellite packages that include all of the various cable packages. But for those who cut the cord or rely on very minimal cable/satellite packages, it should be pretty attractive, especially if the cost stays at $5 a month. Right now, it would be cheaper for me to pickup espn+ than to upgrade my cable enough to get all of the networks Shocker games have been on this past year. Exposure for WSU could work out if streaming for sports really takes off.

[Stickboy46]

Let's be clear about the new AAC TV deal. It looks eerily similar to a lot of mid-majors actually.

Yes, WSU is going to get a share of the TV money but it's at the expense of the fans because now you have to pay to get ESPN+. So WSU fans are simply subsidizing this. And instead of being on ESPN and the family of networks in like 75 million homes, your game will now only be seen by your own fans who pay to watch them. The casual sports fan flipping channels will NEVER see a WSU game.

Lastly since there was no GOR in the deal, every single school worth a crap is still going to do everything they can to leave the AAC.

Enjoy the ride.

There will be the same number of games on the main networks. They are just moving the ESPN3 content to ESPN+, like they will do with ALL ESPN3 content eventually.

Those games were never to be seen by a casual fan. ESPN doesn't magically have content to fill all of those slots now.

You're also (most likely) losing all of your CBS Sports Net games to ESPN+ as well. In Wichita's case that's 11 games that go from National TV to behind a paywall. The grant of rights situation is huge as well if the Big 12 decides that Houston and Cincy or Memphis look good.

Look, I don't begrudge Wichita for leaving to improve their situation but let's not pretend its the perfect, stable situation that they are making it out to be. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

It's a zero downside move. If all blows up, there is a good chance that Wichita ends up somewhere better than the MVC in it's current state. Absolute worst case scenario, WSU ends up back in the Valley, where it started because the Valley KNOWS it's a better conference with Wichita in it.

[AndShock]

Let's be clear about the new AAC TV deal. It looks eerily similar to a lot of mid-majors actually.

Yes, WSU is going to get a share of the TV money but it's at the expense of the fans because now you have to pay to get ESPN+. So WSU fans are simply subsidizing this. And instead of being on ESPN and the family of networks in like 75 million homes, your game will now only be seen by your own fans who pay to watch them. The casual sports fan flipping channels will NEVER see a WSU game.

Lastly since there was no GOR in the deal, every single school worth a crap is still going to do everything they can to leave the AAC.

Enjoy the ride.

There will be the same number of games on the main networks. They are just moving the ESPN3 content to ESPN+, like they will do with ALL ESPN3 content eventually.

Those games were never to be seen by a casual fan. ESPN doesn't magically have content to fill all of those slots now.

You're also (most likely) losing all of your CBS Sports Net games to ESPN+ as well. In Wichita's case that's 11 games that go from National TV to behind a paywall. The grant of rights situation is huge as well if the Big 12 decides that Houston and Cincy or Memphis look good.

Look, I don't begrudge Wichita for leaving to improve their situation but let's not pretend its the perfect, stable situation that they are making it out to be. As usual, the truth lies somewhere in the middle.

...so what was our other option besides having those games behind a paywall?

[Aargh]

There are 14 teams in the SEC. There are 15 in the ACC. There are 14 in the BiG

Texas and Oklahoma go to the SEC. West Virginia to the ACC. the BiG looks at what's left and wonders whether any of them are worth adding. Texas Tech goes somewhere, probably to the PAC. KU MIGHT be able to get into the BiG based on their basketball. Their football is so bad nobody wants it.

At that point, it's likely that the B12 implodes and the AAC looks at what's left and wonders if they want any of them. Knock the top 3 to 5 football teams out of the B12 and what's left doesn't have the ability to poach anybody.

The B12 already looked at adding 2 more schools a couple years ago, got all the applications, and then did nothing. If the B12 stays intact, they aren't as attractive an option as they were several years ago.

[MNPanthers]

It's a zero downside move. If all blows up, there is a good chance that Wichita ends up somewhere better than the MVC in it's current state. Absolute worst case scenario, WSU ends up back in the Valley, where it started because the Valley KNOWS it's a better conference with Wichita in it.

I think this sums it up pretty fairly. We all know that every current valley team would have done the same move in the Shocker's situation. Enough about TV deals. It boils down to the fact that they are now amongst much better company with Houston, Cinci, UConn, UCF, etc. Bigger fanbases, better financial situations, better NET boosters, more national attention. It was a no brainer move at the time, and they'd do it again if they could go back.

Even if they get the short stick with realignment, I really wouldn't entertain an argument that they would've been better off staying in the Valley. They've cemented themselves as a very attractive program. They blow every valley team away in pretty much every category a conference would be judging besides football. If they somehow fall back to the valley, they'd be welcomed with open arms.

[Red]

The original post was about the AAC imploding. I'll go back to that. This media deal hastens the implosion in my opinion because the schools that want to compete at the FBS level are now disadvantaged for 12 more years compared to their peers.

[Aargh]

There was a comment about the AAC being at a historic high this year and the Valley at a historic low.

The AAC looks to be stronger next year than this year. Memphis is bringing in the #1 national recruit. UConn is getting a lot of very highly regarded recruits. I'm wondering how the Valley is going to get much better. The valley may improve from its' conference ranking this year, but will that be because the Valley got stronger, or some conferences ahead of it got weaker.

I'm not trying to stack it on the Valley schools, but there's a question of how the Valley would improve. Jacobsen seems to have hit a wall and isn't getting the results he did several years ago. Muller...I'm not going to go there. Lansing? If any coach ever succeeds, they won't stay. The athletic departments seem to be so strapped for cash that they can't afford to fire unsuccessful coaches because of the buyouts.

There are some real obstacles to the MVC significantly improving over the current "historic low". It can be done, but there are obstacles.

[BearsCountry]

Let's be clear about the new AAC TV deal. It looks eerily similar to a lot of mid-majors actually.

Yes, WSU is going to get a share of the TV money but it's at the expense of the fans because now you have to pay to get ESPN+. So WSU fans are simply subsidizing this. And instead of being on ESPN and the family of networks in like 75 million homes, your game will now only be seen by your own fans who pay to watch them. The casual sports fan flipping channels will NEVER see a WSU game.

Lastly since there was no GOR in the deal, every single school worth a crap is still going to do everything they can to leave the AAC.

Enjoy the ride.

So instead of being in the MVC and being on ESPN+ with no money we are on ESPN+ with $2 million a year. Damn, we fucked up.

It's a good deal. Hope to join you someday.

[SycamoreMaze]

Let's be clear about the new AAC TV deal. It looks eerily similar to a lot of mid-majors actually.

Yes, WSU is going to get a share of the TV money but it's at the expense of the fans because now you have to pay to get ESPN+. So WSU fans are simply subsidizing this. And instead of being on ESPN and the family of networks in like 75 million homes, your game will now only be seen by your own fans who pay to watch them. The casual sports fan flipping channels will NEVER see a WSU game.

Lastly since there was no GOR in the deal, every single school worth a crap is still going to do everything they can to leave the AAC.

Enjoy the ride.

So instead of being in the MVC and being on ESPN+ with no money we are on ESPN+ with $2 million a year. Damn, we fucked up.

Hope to join you someday.

Off the reservation delusional.

[mvfcfan]

I'm not sure why everyone thinks the Big 12 is going to implode. I mean it could, but I think it is unlikely. Whenever their current TV deal is up they are probably going to add 2 teams; my guess is Cincinnati and Houston.

As far as the AAC is concerned 6 years ago, 7 of their current members were in the CUSA. If you go back 14 years Cincinnati and USF were also in the CUSA. In other words the AAC is just a revamped Conference USA. Temple, Connecticut, and Wichita State are the only 3 that were not in CUSA.

But I honestly don't see the AAC imploding. If anything they will just poach teams from the current CUSA or elsewhere if they have to. Really I'm not sure any conferences are in danger at the moment. I thought the WAC might be in trouble for a while, but they seem to be okay now after adding some D2 moveups.