Belmont to Missouri Valley

[All-MVC Fan]

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.

University presidents are almost universally idiots.

[squirrel]

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.

Right. Loyola didn't bring Chicago. But because they are in Chicago, Loyola had as many if not more league games on national TV last year. And when you win at a relevant enough level nationally (and despite Belmont's success, they are just 1-8 in the NCAA Tournament, with their only win from the First Four in 2019 against Temple. If they have a run to the Sweet 16, Elite 8 or Final Four, they'll get some buzz and a charge of interest like Loyola has seen, IMO.

[Red]

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.

Honest question - How many Belmont games are traditionally on TV?

[E-Villan]

Murray State is my #1 option for the Valley but I don't think people realize where Murray, KY is actually located. It's literally in the middle of nowhere. It's a very similar town to Carbondale, IL except Carbondale is at least kind of near St. Louis. Murray, KY is in no mans land.

According to google, Carbondale is a whopping 16 miles closer to St Louis than Murray is to Nashville.

BCPanther and the others who are saying market size matters are absolutely correct. Nashville over Murray, Northwest Indiana over Murray and Chicago over Murray. SIU may be playing a roadblock, but I think there is more to it than just them blocking.

Don't get me wrong, personally I am old school. I will take a passionate fan base that travels over or a large city school that is virtually ignored in it's hometown, but that isn't what is driving these things today. I have seen what Belmont does when they are the #1 seed and the conference tournament is just 2 hours away. One small section of the Ford Center while Murray pretty well filled the rest of the lower bowl and a chunk of the upper.

Still holding out hope they are next.

[SalukiWorld]

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.

Honest question - How many Belmont games are traditionally on TV?

It's the same as the rest of the Valley. Most games will be on ESPN+ or ESPN3 but select games will be aired on ESPN/ESPN2, CBS Sports Network and the regional channels (Bally Sports Midwest, NBC Sports Chicago, etc)

[SalukiWorld]

Murray State is my #1 option for the Valley but I don't think people realize where Murray, KY is actually located. It's literally in the middle of nowhere. It's a very similar town to Carbondale, IL except Carbondale is at least kind of near St. Louis. Murray, KY is in no mans land.

According to google, Carbondale is a whopping 16 miles closer to St Louis than Murray is to Nashville.

SIU isn't looking to join the Valley. SIU is lucky to be a long-time member of the Valley because the Valley wouldn't even consider them in 2021 as an expansion candidate. Location among other things.

[BCPanther]

The key is the 22 games that are on Bally Sports/NBC Chicago used to be in 31 million homes now they'll be in 65 million homes which is a huge deal in attracting national corporate money.

Our ESPN and CBS deals are up in 24-25 and Nashville and the south are another bargaining chip there too.

I'm so thankful Eldon Miller got us in to the Valley 30 years ago because there is zero chance that the Valley would look at us today with a metro population of 160,000 in Waterloo/Cedar Falls.

[usmcsaluki]

Welcome to Belmont! Awesome addition to the Valley - now we need to go out and secure Murray State - there are really no other good or worth options for #12 IMO.

[SalukiWorld]

https://twitter.com/DaveReynolds2/statu ... 8461911041

12 would work better for the conference tournament, but you could still do it with 11 (top 5 get a bye to quarters). I’m told the league is mixed on admitting Murray State because of academic concerns. Stay tuned.

[Herd]

Why does everyone think Murray State wouldn't be invited to the MVFC? If MSU gets an MVC invite they are in the MVFC Period. We just added North Dakota for crying out loud. The Summit League owes us one. If not then it's time for the MVC to actually sponsor football and bring YSU and perhaps WIU in as a FB Only. Heck if the OVC loses it's AQ in football and becomes a BB only conference we could bring in EIU and SEMO for football only and have a Gateway 2.0.

Murray can join the MVFC as long as they change their name to the . . . "Boat Raced'ers". Can we do like the all the MVC schools and now whine incessantly about travel costs?

By the way, Western IL is in the Summit . . . and Youngstown isn't in the MVC either. Maybe the MVC footballers could merge with the Pioneer.