Explain this to me

[squirrel]

Football controls everything. Basketball ultimately is irrelevant.

Aww. So that's why the Big East makes more revenue than the AAC.

Immediately that argument has zero long-term implications. That said, there is the potential for maybe up to 4 non-football leagues at the highest level of DI, but if there is only 1-2 they will be one of them. There is no guarantee the Valley will be, especially if any more members leave. This move would also secure MSU a seat at that table. Weaker hoops league or not. Again, its all about positioning. Yes it defies traditional logic, but that's the world we live in.

[rlh04d]

Football controls everything. Basketball ultimately is irrelevant.

Aww. So that's why the Big East makes more revenue than the AAC.

Immediately that argument has zero long-term implications. That said, there is the potential for maybe up to 4 non-football leagues at the highest level of DI, but if there is only 1-2 they will be one of them. There is no guarantee the Valley will be, especially if any more members leave. This move would also secure MSU a seat at that table. Weaker hoops league or not. Again, its all about positioning. Yes it defies traditional logic, but that's the world we live in.

I think it's dangerous to make long term planning off of something that could be cyclical. While high level football has been proven to be more profitable than high level basketball, that wasn't always the case. Basketball was more profitable in the 90s.

To some extent I think FBS football is very similar to the current stock market. It's at a high, and so people keep buying in. But the quick gains are already gone. The smart people got rich at the start, where all of the money was made, and now there is almost nowhere for it to go but down. But people keep seeing the high numbers, so they're illogically believing the current bubble will go on forever. In every economic bubble, if you're making long-term projections from the high point of the bubble, you might be the one buying your house in 2007.

[Snaggletooth]

What I find funny is the swomo fans talk about playing at the highest levels but you don't even support your programs at a high level, especially football. If u want to talk the talk u need to walk the walk as fans.

[squirrel]

To some extent I think FBS football is very similar to the current stock market. It's at a high, and so people keep buying in. But the quick gains are already gone. The smart people got rich at the start, where all of the money was made, and now there is almost nowhere for it to go but down. But people keep seeing the high numbers, so they're illogically believing the current bubble will go on forever. In every economic bubble, if you're making long-term projections from the high point of the bubble, you might be the one buying your house in 2007.

I don't disagree at all with that argument, but I think it still misses the big picture and draws the wrong conclusion (or at least stops short). Ultimately, it will all depend on whether or not the "big 4" leagues walk. (I believe they will) If they do, there's no guarantee there's room for any non-football, including the Big East. Obviously they are A1 if they allow a select few in for basketball.

But if there is a split in DI, the southern-oriented leagues are going to be the dominant force. Why? Football. That said, I think there is a great opportunity in such a scenario for a "Little Big East" that is a hybrid of Valley, Horizon and A-10 schools such as St. Joe's and LaSalle.

[rlh04d]

To some extent I think FBS football is very similar to the current stock market. It's at a high, and so people keep buying in. But the quick gains are already gone. The smart people got rich at the start, where all of the money was made, and now there is almost nowhere for it to go but down. But people keep seeing the high numbers, so they're illogically believing the current bubble will go on forever. In every economic bubble, if you're making long-term projections from the high point of the bubble, you might be the one buying your house in 2007.

I don't disagree at all with that argument, but I think it still misses the big picture and draws the wrong conclusion (or at least stops short). Ultimately, it will all depend on whether or not the "big 4" leagues walk. (I believe they will) If they do, there's no guarantee there's room for any non-football, including the Big East. Obviously they are A1 if they allow a select few in for basketball.

But if there is a split in DI, the southern-oriented leagues are going to be the dominant force. Why? Football. That said, I think there is a great opportunity in such a scenario for a "Little Big East" that is a hybrid of Valley, Horizon and A-10 schools such as St. Joe's and LaSalle.

Is your point that southern leagues would be dominant in the new D1 without the conferences that split off?

I still think dominant is a weird argument. The SEC is dominant in football, yet it hasn't helped their basketball product. If their was a fundamental shift long term to basketball, power would shift drastically against them. If baseball rose up, they'd still be very strong. But any football dominance is only relevant if the current power structure continues in perpetuity.

The dominance of football is in it's ability to generate TV revenue, and I can't see many scenarios where the Sun Belt is generating much TV revenue. Perhaps if Fox made a strong push to keep expanding its catalog and they create a TV arms war with ESPN.

Personally, I want football to take on soccer style relegation. The SEC should be linked to the Sun Belt. If you suck in the SEC, you go down a level and the Sun Belt champ takes your place. In that situation moving up the lower conference pecking order would be huge.

[squirrel]

I still think dominant is a weird argument. The SEC is dominant in football, yet it hasn't helped their basketball product.

Again, basketball is essentially irrelevant in all of this. I know it's a weird concept for Valley fans, but it's reality.

[MSUDuo]

What I find funny is the swomo fans talk about playing at the highest levels but you don't even support your programs at a high level, especially football. If u want to talk the talk u need to walk the walk as fans.

All about perception. Illinois State, Indiana State, UNI vs. Navy, Indiana, Memphis, Troy???

Obviously those are not the highlight of college football but 95% of fans recognize those names more so than the teams we play.

Not to mention, the pay outs for the "buy games" get higher when you are a FBS team. If you're going to suck, you might as well suck and get paid for it.

You've got to start somewhere. If you don't get started, you can't get to where you want to be. If it has to be the Sun Belt, so be it.

We're not earning at-large bids in the Valley so the basketball point is moot. Baseball is an upgrade some years and marginal at the worst.

[rlh04d]

I still think dominant is a weird argument. The SEC is dominant in football, yet it hasn't helped their basketball product.

Again, basketball is essentially irrelevant in all of this. I know it's a weird concept for Valley fans, but it's reality.

I got my BA from the defending BCS national champions. How about we stop this condescending idea that you know than others about football because your school has football? Lots of schools play high level football, and your FCS perspective doesn't automatically make you better than anyone. My point was that football is dominant now but there is no reason to assume it always will be. In fact there are strong reasons to believe football is at its peak and can only decline.

That's not a reason to reject a move to FCS. But I would think anyone that simply looks at the current situation and believes it will never change is inevitably going to pay for it. Football won't always dominate, any more than baseball and basketball did. Basketball will always be relevant, and if you put your money all in the stock market while the easy gains are already gone, rather than diversifying, you will be seriously exposed to long term change.

[squirrel]

LOL. OK. My school doesn't have football. How about we stop assuming period?

You are the one assuming something about FCS because of your superior football background apparently. It should be apparent that I'm a BU person.

[rlh04d]

LOL. OK. My school doesn't have football. How about we stop assuming period?

You are the one assuming something about FCS because of your superior football background apparently. It should be apparent that I'm a BU person.

At some point here I've mixed up you and jwa. My fault. Sorry!