The Realignment Options from the Pac-6 and Mountain West Perspective.

[Camo_Cat]

So, one of the things I have not really heard discussed in all the realignment/move-up talk is the fee that was instituted last year for schools moving from FCS to FBS. I believe that the NCAA increased the "move-up" fee to $5 million. Regardless of whether or not MSU or dUMb gets an invite to the Mountain West, is either school willing or capable of coming up with that kind of cash?? In this day of mass realignment, would the NCAA still require that fee, or would they waive it to protect conferences like the Pac 12, Mountain West, and Conference USA?

I've heard it mentioned in some articles that the MWC would cover the move up fee with the money they get from the teams jumping to the PAC. There was one article that even talked about the teams getting a signing bonus.

Wow - good to know! Maybe MSU even makes a little $$ out of the move. Hmmm......

[coloradocat]

The big Sky will lose two teams. Sac State and IC Davies. They have the population and tv audience size.

Just curious, but have you ever visited either stadium? And do you really think more people are watching either team on TV in those areas? Especially when a nearby Stanford, San Jose State, Fresno or Cal is playing? I am guessing our Montana ratings are actually higher than either schools games.

This is always the part of the media market discussion that gets lost. Sure there are bigger markets but if people aren't watching the games then what difference does it make?

[Catprint]

From Murray's Mailbag on Nevadasportsnet.com...https://nevadasportsnet.com/features/mu ... -look-like#

Only Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the Board of Directors know. My goal would be to add schools with large ceilings rather than grabbing FBS retreads like Idaho, New Mexico State and UTEP. While adding those departments might be the smoother path since they're already at the FBS level, we've seen what they can do at that level (not much). As I wrote about last week, I'd go after Montana, Montana State and Sacramento State as my first option with North Dakota State and South Dakota State as my backup plan. There's more risk-reward with adding FCS schools, but I'd take that chance you hit big and find the next Boise State. We knowIdaho, New Mexico State and UTEP are not the next Boise State at the FBS level. The difficulty in adding the Montanas and Dakotas is those schools don't have good basketball programs, and the MW has been built of late on basketball. The media markets also aren't great. But being good in football is preeminent for conferences.

Good chance the MWC would fund some of the $5 million or at least provide help if they went the FCS route. Although not sure I agree that the Montana schools don't have good basketball programs..

[Montanabob]

From Murray's Mailbag on Nevadasportsnet.com...https://nevadasportsnet.com/features/mu ... -look-like#

Only Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez and the Board of Directors know. My goal would be to add schools with large ceilings rather than grabbing FBS retreads like Idaho, New Mexico State and UTEP. While adding those departments might be the smoother path since they're already at the FBS level, we've seen what they can do at that level (not much). As I wrote about last week, I'd go after Montana, Montana State and Sacramento State as my first option with North Dakota State and South Dakota State as my backup plan. There's more risk-reward with adding FCS schools, but I'd take that chance you hit big and find the next Boise State. We knowIdaho, New Mexico State and UTEP are not the next Boise State at the FBS level. The difficulty in adding the Montanas and Dakotas is those schools don't have good basketball programs, and the MW has been built of late on basketball. The media markets also aren't great. But being good in football is preeminent for conferences.

Good chance the MWC would fund some of the $5 million or at least provide help if they went the FCS route. Although not sure I agree that the Montana schools don't have good basketball programs..

someone should tell him Idaho doesn't play at the FBS level anymore.

[thefrank1]

He is correct in that they would be an FBS retread if readmitted to the MWC.

[SonomaCat]

The big Sky will lose two teams. Sac State and IC Davies. They have the population and tv audience size.

Just curious, but have you ever visited either stadium? And do you really think more people are watching either team on TV in those areas? Especially when a nearby Stanford, San Jose State, Fresno or Cal is playing? I am guessing our Montana ratings are actually higher than either schools games.

This is always the part of the media market discussion that gets lost. Sure there are bigger markets but if people aren't watching the games then what difference does it make?

Operating a sports bar in the greater Bay Area and having been the person trying to get local folks to show up to watch local college football, I can say that I'm an expert on this topic -- people in this part of the world simply DO NOT care about college football at all. If they do show up for a game, it's to see Oregon or USC.

The biggest attendance we've had BY FAR for a college football game to date has been Cat/Griz.

[RickRund]

Just curious, from the fans perspective, what would this mean for ticket prices and associated fees?

[Montanabob]

Just curious, from the fans perspective, what would this mean for ticket prices and associated fees?

well, MSU charges more than UNM does for tickets.

[Cataholic]

Choate comments on Nevada and MSU. Very interesting.

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/report ... c-12-offer

[AFCAT]

Just curious, from the fans perspective, what would this mean for ticket prices and associated fees?

They could be raised. University athletic funding sources have been well documented here. There is a balancing act between state money, student fees, donated money, ticket sales to all events, team gear sales, concessions, parking, media rights, league money, and other sources that make up the budgets. Each universities percentages of income from those source seems to vary a lot. Obviously, if one of the bigger money sources is stressed too much, the universities will have to look at other sources to take up the slack. I know NDSU is starting to get pushback on their high ticket prices to games, but they are still winning, so it hasn't hurt them too much, yet. If NDSU or other university teams that have high attendance start losing, then we shall see what happens. They will have to find the money from other sources.

[CodyCat]

What are the current payouts to the MW schools for their media rights, and NCAA basketball tournament?

[AFCAT]

Choate comments on Nevada and MSU. Very interesting.

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/report ... c-12-offer

I always said the BAC should have been named the CCC for Choate, Costello and Cruzado, because they really made the construction of that facility happen. If you ever went to a QBC meeting, you could hear Choate talk about needing the BAC and pushing for the funding and construction. Choate pushed for the building and Cruzado and Costello found the money.

[CodyCat]

I haven’t read through the latest realignment threads. So excuse me if this was covered.

Does anyone know what the process would look like if the MW reached out to the Montana Schools? Is that something where the BORs would call an emergency meeting and vote on this? Or is this strictly up to each University?

[Bobcat Sig]

I haven’t read through the latest realignment threads. So excuse me if this was covered.

Does anyone know what the process would look like if the MW reached out to the Montana Schools? Is that something where the BORs would call an emergency meeting and vote on this? Or is this strictly up to each University?

It's my understanding that the BoR would need to approve the move. ANd likely, both we and our rivals to the west would need to make the move together.

[vike_king]

Choate comments on Nevada and MSU. Very interesting.

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/report ... c-12-offer

I always said the BAC should have been named the CCC for Choate, Costello and Cruzado, because they really made the construction of that facility happen. If you ever went to a QBC meeting, you could hear Choate talk about needing the BAC and pushing for the funding and construction. Choate pushed for the building and Cruzado and Costello found the money.

My favorite part of the quarterback club meetings was when Coach Choate would get started about the need for the Athletic Center. TESTIFY!!!!

[CelticCat]

Choate comments on Nevada and MSU. Very interesting.

https://nevadasportsnet.com/news/report ... c-12-offer

I said this much on the podcast (shameless plug) but I want MSU to compete in a level of football with other programs who take it seriously. 75%+ of the FCS does not take football seriously. We are in a division with teams like Mercyhurst, and entire conferences that don't offer scholarships or compete in the vaunted playoffs.

[BleedingBLue]

Are those who don't like night games and weekday games going to complain if we move up and are playing at least 2 Friday games each year, and at least 2 Saturday night games each year, and possibly a Thursday game?

[damnyoutuesday]

Are those who don't like night games and weekday games going to complain if we move up and are playing at least 2 Friday games each year, and at least 2 Saturday night games each year, and possibly a Thursday game?

We will not bet getting nearly as favorable of a gametime schedule in the MWC as we do in the Big Sky. And we'd have to travel to Hawaii and have even later games there too. Thursday and Friday games would also suck

[grizzh8r]

Are those who don't like night games and weekday games going to complain if we move up and are playing at least 2 Friday games each year, and at least 2 Saturday night games each year, and possibly a Thursday game?

Wow, very good point! That hadn't crossed my mind as on of the changes regarding a move up... On the proverbial Pro/Con list, that's a fairly significant con...

[CodyCat]

Are those who don't like night games and weekday games going to complain if we move up and are playing at least 2 Friday games each year, and at least 2 Saturday night games each year, and possibly a Thursday game?

Wow, very good point! That hadn't crossed my mind as on of the changes regarding a move up... On the proverbial Pro/Con list, that's a fairly significant con...

We would play a lot at 8 o’clock at night.