Belmont to Missouri Valley

[IllinoisState]

And Drake hinted at further expansion, which we already knew

[Red]

And Drake hinted at further expansion, which we already knew

Caught that too.

Paraphrasing:
"Our future is bright and may be even brighter as we continue to look out over the landscape"

[letsgoAces]

I don't think market size will play any role in whom the MVC will be choosing for the next member. This is now 2021...market size is just not as important as it once was. Conference schools are not about to split their NCAA money with a team that is not going to improve the stature of their league, that isn't going to happen...and that is why Murray State will be admitted. You will see monetary gains by their great fans who travel to other member schools, filling up seats at Arch Madness, and getting the MVC in much better position to get an at large bid. Not hard to figure out.

[BCPanther]

I don't think market size will play any role in whom the MVC will be choosing for the next member. This is now 2021...market size is just not as important as it once was. Conference schools are not about to split their NCAA money with a team that is not going to improve the stature of their league, that isn't going to happen...and that is why Murray State will be admitted. You will see monetary gains by their great fans who travel to other member schools, filling up seats at Arch Madness, and getting the MVC in much better position to get an at large bid. Not hard to figure out.

I mean, that's literally the opposite of what the presidents and commissioner just said in the press conference but you do you...

Market size matters. Getting our TV network into more markets matters.

We don't need more Cedar Falls, Carbondale, Peoria type markets.

[Red]

I don't think market size will play any role in whom the MVC will be choosing for the next member. This is now 2021...market size is just not as important as it once was. Conference schools are not about to split their NCAA money with a team that is not going to improve the stature of their league, that isn't going to happen...and that is why Murray State will be admitted. You will see monetary gains by their great fans who travel to other member schools, filling up seats at Arch Madness, and getting the MVC in much better position to get an at large bid. Not hard to figure out.

I mean, that's literally the opposite of what the presidents and commissioner just said in the press conference but you do you...

Market size matters. Getting our TV network into more markets matters.

We don't need more Cedar Falls, Carbondale, Peoria type markets.

My guess is that Belmont doesn't really "bring the Nashville" market with them, if that makes sense. Sure they are in the city, but are sort of an afterthought behind Vandy, Tennessee, and pro sports. The same would hold for Milwaukee behind Marquette and Wisconsin, or UT-A behind a whole host of schools and pro teams.

[siudawgs]

I don't think market size will play any role in whom the MVC will be choosing for the next member. This is now 2021...market size is just not as important as it once was. Conference schools are not about to split their NCAA money with a team that is not going to improve the stature of their league, that isn't going to happen...and that is why Murray State will be admitted. You will see monetary gains by their great fans who travel to other member schools, filling up seats at Arch Madness, and getting the MVC in much better position to get an at large bid. Not hard to figure out.

I mean, that's literally the opposite of what the presidents and commissioner just said in the press conference but you do you...

Market size matters. Getting our TV network into more markets matters.

We don't need more Cedar Falls, Carbondale, Peoria type markets.

I would contend that Arch Madness is largely responsible for the success and national reputation of the MVC in the modern era (along with MVC teams often outpunching their seeds in NCAA play).

What made Arch Madness such a success? Yes, the cute slogan, but mostly the atmosphere when you had big, passionate fan bases getting the place rocking.

That has already taken a big hit with Creighton and Wichita leaving and SIU's struggles over the past decade. Keep adding Valpos and Belmonts (and missing a chance to add a strong fan base with Murray), and that event will be a shadow of its former self.

For the record, I'm for adding Belmont, as I think they bring enough pluses to the table, but I think it's a mistake to disregard passionate fan bases as a key ingredient of what has made the MVC a great league.

[BEARZ77]

Belmont doesn't have to be the main team in the Nashville market to impact ; the question is will enough Nashville homes tune in to watch a Belmont vs MVC game to impact ratings ? So it's not just about does Belmont impact the MVC, but also does the MVC help raise the interest in Belmont in the Nashville area.

[squirrel]

You can also fly for under $40 one-way from Peoria to Nashville.

Are you implying no one should ever or would ever want to return to Peoria once they leave?

Not the worst idea.

[Buxcies]

University Presidents need to grow enrollment. Even though Belmont may not control the Nashville market, the Valley will still get free exposure in a large (and growing) market and be able to pull in more students. Murray, KY does not have the number of potential valley students as Nashville. For athletics purposes I think we should add Murray State, but after listening to the presidents and the commissioner it doesn't seem that they agree.

[BCPanther]

Belmont doesn't have to be the main team in the Nashville market to impact ; the question is will enough Nashville homes tune in to watch a Belmont vs MVC game to impact ratings ? So it's not just about does Belmont impact the MVC, but also does the MVC help raise the interest in Belmont in the Nashville area.

This right here.

Belmont is going to get us on Bally Sports South/Southeast which opens up an absolute ton of territory and approximately 32 million homes. They have tons of commitments (Braves, Reds, Hawks, Hornets, Grizzlies, Pelicans, Hurricanes, Predators) but they also have 6 subchannels so our games will be on and it gives us access to sponsors in those markets. It's a big deal.