OT: Conference Realignment

[Pablo]

Pete Thamel

@PeteThamel
·
6h

Sources: The MAC is exploring potential expansion. School officials are expected to discuss expansion in the upcoming days. Among those expected to be discussed are Middle Tennessee and Western Kentucky.

 

[Pablo]

Sources: MAC 'Likely' to Add Western Kentucky, Middle Tennessee

Read about how Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee are likely to join the MAC in the latest college football conference realignment move.

www.actionnetwork.com

"The Mid-American Conference is 'likely' to add Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee, perhaps by the end of this week, pending approval by the MAC presidents, sources told The Action Network.

The addition of Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee would give the MAC 14 schools.

The move would also serve as the latest blow to Conference USA, which will have recently lost 11 of its 14 members.

In the past two weeks, six C-USA schools — Charlotte, FAU, North Texas, Rice, UAB and UTSA — left for the American and three schools — Marshall, ODU and Southern Miss — left for the Sun Belt.

Ultimately, the MAC’s decision will be based on financial implications, sources said.

'This isn’t a transformational move, but right now conference realignment boils down to "survive and advance," an industry source said. 'The MAC can’t make this move if all of its members are taking a haircut [receiving less media rights revenue than they do currently].'”

 

[Pablo]

Sources: Liberty, NMSU, 2 FCS Schools Officially Join C-USA

Read about Conference USA's plan to add FBS independents Liberty and New Mexico State and FCS programs Sam Houston and Jacksonville State.

www.actionnetwork.com

"FBS independents Liberty and New Mexico State and FCS members Jacksonville State and Sam Houston 'will likely' join Conference USA as all-sports members, sources told The Action Network.

The addition of those four schools will help Conference USA replenish its membership after losing as many as 11 of its 14 members.

Nine schools already have announced they would leave C-USA, while Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee 'likely' will join the MAC, if approved by the MAC Presidents, sources told The Action Network on Monday.

'Conference USA wants to get to eight or nine members,' an industry source said. 'If the MAC doesn’t expand, then C-USA will have nine members and could be done.'

An official announcement of the four new schools could happen by the end of the week, a source said.

There also remains a possibility that FBS independents UConn and UMass could join the league as football-only members, sources said."

 

[Pablo]

Brett McMurphy
@Brett_McMurphy
·
16h

All 4 schools have received official invites to C-USA, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Process proceeding as scheduled w/official announcement as soon as next week

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Brett McMurphy

@Brett_McMurphy
· Nov 2

FBS independents Liberty & New Mexico State & FCS members Sam Houston & Jacksonville State likely joining Conference USA as all-sports members, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Addition of those 4 schools will help replenish C-USA after recent losses https://actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/con...&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=BrettMcMurphy

Mike Barber
@RTD_MikeBarber
·
11h

Look, it is a fact that the CAA has a bylaw addressing this that it's following. It's also a fact that this was an opportunity for the CAA member presidents to show a little empathy for athletes who've gone through a hell of a lot the past two years and they dropped the ball...

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Mike Barber

@RTD_MikeBarber
· 13h

JMU informed its athletes tonight that the CAA will not allow its teams to compete for league championships this year if it announces its move to the Sun Belt. JMU's appeal to league presidents was denied. https://richmond.com/sports/college...cle_e7d020ea-7b9f-53d3-8490-b545fb46ac6e.html

"The Colonial Athletic Association will not allow James Madison’s teams to compete for league championships this year if the school accepts an invitation to join another conference.

JMU athletic department officials informed the school’s athletes of the league’s decision on Wednesday night.

The Dukes are expected to formally move to the Sun Belt Conference next year, a move that could be announced as soon as Friday.

Automatic bids would be unavailable for the Dukes, but the decision would not block teams from receiving at-large bids for the NCAA tournament. This does not apply to the CAA-leading football team, which remains eligible for an automatic bid from the conference because of separate bylaws."

 

[GMU79]

Brett McMurphy
@Brett_McMurphy
·
16h

All 4 schools have received official invites to C-USA, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Process proceeding as scheduled w/official announcement as soon as next week

Quote Tweet

Brett McMurphy

@Brett_McMurphy
· Nov 2

FBS independents Liberty & New Mexico State & FCS members Sam Houston & Jacksonville State likely joining Conference USA as all-sports members, sources told @ActionNetworkHQ. Addition of those 4 schools will help replenish C-USA after recent losses https://actionnetwork.com/ncaaf/con...&utm_medium=Social&utm_campaign=BrettMcMurphy

Mike Barber
@RTD_MikeBarber
·
11h

Look, it is a fact that the CAA has a bylaw addressing this that it's following. It's also a fact that this was an opportunity for the CAA member presidents to show a little empathy for athletes who've gone through a hell of a lot the past two years and they dropped the ball...

Quote Tweet

Mike Barber

@RTD_MikeBarber
· 13h

JMU informed its athletes tonight that the CAA will not allow its teams to compete for league championships this year if it announces its move to the Sun Belt. JMU's appeal to league presidents was denied. https://richmond.com/sports/college...cle_e7d020ea-7b9f-53d3-8490-b545fb46ac6e.html

"The Colonial Athletic Association will not allow James Madison’s teams to compete for league championships this year if the school accepts an invitation to join another conference.

JMU athletic department officials informed the school’s athletes of the league’s decision on Wednesday night.

The Dukes are expected to formally move to the Sun Belt Conference next year, a move that could be announced as soon as Friday.

Automatic bids would be unavailable for the Dukes, but the decision would not block teams from receiving at-large bids for the NCAA tournament. This does not apply to the CAA-leading football team, which remains eligible for an automatic bid from the conference because of separate bylaws."

I don't like JMU bball. But, I completely respect and pull for their football team. I really hope they go on and win the FCS championship.

 

[sleeperpick]

I don't like JMU bball. But, I completely respect and pull for their football team. I really hope they go on and win the FCS championship.

CAA president and team presidents are banning them from competing in the playoffs this year due to them leaving the conference. It is a big drama on Twitter right now.

 

[Five Two]

CAA president and team presidents are banning them from competing in the playoffs this year due to them leaving the conference. It is a big drama on Twitter right now.

The article says that the football team can compete in the playoffs. Or did I misunderstand the article?

We had the same thing happen to us when we left the CAA. The big difference was that none of our teams were any good and an at-large was never an option. We had to win the auto bids to reach the NCAAs.

Softball might be one sport where the rest of the CAA softball schools are thrilled. JMU is probably getting an at large bid and since JMU can't compete in the CAA tournament, that means someone else is winning the auto bid.

 

[sleeperpick]

The article says that the football team can compete in the playoffs. Or did I misunderstand the article?

We had the same thing happen to us when we left the CAA. The big difference was that none of our teams were any good and an at-large was never an option. We had to win the auto bids to reach the NCAAs.

Softball might be one sport where the rest of the CAA softball schools are thrilled. JMU is probably getting an at large bid and since JMU can't compete in the CAA tournament, that means someone else is winning the auto bid.

Football is the only sport allowed to compete in playoffs (due to their not being a conference tourney). All other sports will not e allowed to compete

 

[gmubrian]

JMU was part of the process of putting this ban in place. I’d like to know how JMU has voted on exception requests in the past when other schools have left the CAA.

 

[Pablo]

Opinion: If CAA Follows Through on JMU ban, it must Never Again Preach on Athlete Interest

On Wednesday, the Colonial Athletic Association told James Madison that its student athletes would not be able to compete for conference championships if they officially announced their move to the Sun Belt.

www.underdogdynasty.com

"This ban is significant for a multitude of reasons, the first being that it would stay in effect until JMU officially joins the Sun Belt; a transition that could not be complete until 2023. That means that no Dukes team would be able to compete for or claim a CAA title over the next two seasons.

The football program, which is currently ranked #3 in the country via the FCS polls and holds a 7-1 record, may still be able to win the conference title they are currently on pace to take due to separate bylaws. They also would be permitted to play in the FCS playoffs and compete for a national championship."

 

[GMU79]

JMU was part of the process of putting this ban in place. I’d like to know how JMU has voted on exception requests in the past when other schools have left the CAA.

Good point. The article I read said that they are really ticked off, but yeah, about that....I wonder.
The commish said "I'm not going to comment on whether it's a good by-law or not. I'm just here to enforce it."

 

[Pablo]

JMU was part of the process of putting this ban in place. I’d like to know how JMU has voted on exception requests in the past when other schools have left the CAA.

Athletes Take Brunt of the Blow in JMU-CAA Feud

The James Madison athletes took the fall when the Colonial Athletic Association banned the Dukes from championships due to their impending conference move.

www.si.com

"At the league office in Richmond, some 130 miles away, they’re not happy about being portrayed as the heartless villains. Commissioner Joe D’Antonio—known as 'Joey D,' a guy who is known to visit campuses and practice with the league champions in several sports—cites the league bylaws and points out that James Madison knew full well what it was getting into. 'Part of my job is to uphold what our bylaws say,' D’Antonio says. 'This is a clause that JMU was aware of.'

This is, in fact a clause JMU had supported—or certainly not publicly opposed—when it had been invoked in the past. East Carolina, Richmond and American were barred from championship participation after announcing they were leaving in 2001. The same thing happened when Old Dominion and George Mason departed in 2013."

 

[GMU79]

Athletes Take Brunt of the Blow in JMU-CAA Feud

The James Madison athletes took the fall when the Colonial Athletic Association banned the Dukes from championships due to their impending conference move.

www.si.com

"At the league office in Richmond, some 130 miles away, they’re not happy about being portrayed as the heartless villains. Commissioner Joe D’Antonio—known as 'Joey D,' a guy who is known to visit campuses and practice with the league champions in several sports—cites the league bylaws and points out that James Madison knew full well what it was getting into. 'Part of my job is to uphold what our bylaws say,' D’Antonio says. 'This is a clause that JMU was aware of.'

This is, in fact a clause JMU had supported—or certainly not publicly opposed—when it had been invoked in the past. East Carolina, Richmond and American were barred from championship participation after announcing they were leaving in 2001. The same thing happened when Old Dominion and George Mason departed in 2013."

"Why would you want your bid going to a school that isn't going to be there anymore?" is a stupid question. The fact is, they are there NOW. Your conference gets to send it's best team NOW. It all goes into the record books under CAA. Anything good the team does gives good publicity to the CAA. I don't get it. It's a dumb by-law.
But, it looks like JMU was all in on it until it rose up and bit them. Too bad. You reap what you sow.

 

[jessej]

and most conferences share the tournament revenue
sending your best team increases the chance of increasing that revenue

 

[Pablo]

Conference USA adds Liberty, New Mexico State, Sam Houston, Jacksonville State

The schools are expected to begin play in the league in 2023.

theathletic.com

"This move gets C-USA up to nine full-time members, although the status of Western Kentucky and Middle Tennessee is up in the air as the MAC considers adding them. At least eight members are required to be an FBS conference, although a two-year grace period is allowed if a conference falls below that number.

Throughout all of the movement, C-USA always planned to survive and continue as an FBS conference, and it has talked with dozens of schools about membership. As of Friday, the only remaining members were FIU, Louisiana Tech, UTEP, WKU and MTSU. The league believes the combination all of those departures could help jump-start the reformed league with at least $18 million in exit fees to be used.

In losing so many members, the league first looked to stabilize itself by grabbing current FBS independent schools. The Athletic first reported last week that C-USA was in talks with NMSU, Liberty and UConn (football only), all of which are football independents. UMass, another independent, has been hoping for an invitation. Sources have said the Minutemen are under consideration. UConn is still weighing its options.

If WKU and MTSU join the MAC, this won’t be the last move for C-USA. As mentioned, it needs eight members to remain an FBS conference. UConn and UMass could be options. The league also has talked with a number of other FCS schools that would like to make the move up as well, such as Tarleton State, Eastern Kentucky and Stephen F. Austin. If WKU and MTSU stay, the league may stick with nine for the time being."

 

[Pablo]

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/jmu-to-present-fbs-proposal-to-general-assembly-on-friday-morning/

"BREAKING UPDATE: The General Assembly’s Intercollegiate Athletics Review Commission unanimously approved JMU’s move to FBS and the Sun Belt.

JMU officials, as well as ODU President Brian Hemphill, spoke in front of the commission on Friday morning advocating for the jump. JMU President Jonathan Alger spoke about how JMU’s been building toward this moment and that now is the 'right time and right opportunity.' The Dukes plan to start the transition to FBS on July 1, 2022."

 

[bravesfan]

Done deal for JMU: https://caasports.com/news/2021/11/...ber-of-the-colonial-athletic-association.aspx

 

[Pablo]

Matt Norlander

@MattNorlander
·
3h

I'm told there are still big steps to take, but my read on this is that UIC will eventually be the 12th MVC member. Makes too much sense from a market standpoint (Chicago) in addition to the school's athletic budget, student body diversity, all of it. Feels like the next step.





Matt Norlander
@MattNorlander
·
3h

Breaking: The Missouri Valley’s presidents have approved Murray State to become the conference’s next member, sources told CBS Sports. Murray State joins Belmont in leaving the OVC. A 12th school is expected eventually, sources said. More details:

cbssports.com
Murray State approved as newest member of Missouri Valley Conference with formal decision coming...
The MVC added Belmont in the fall, and now Murray State will also be joining the league

 

[Pablo]

Jon Rothstein

@JonRothstein
·
24m

NEWS: The CAA is expected to add Hampton as a member on July 1st and is also targeting both Stony Brook and Monmouth as potential members, according to multiple sources.



collegehoopstoday.com
Sources: CAA expected to add Hampton on July 1st, targeting Monmouth and Stony Brook
The CAA is expected to add Hampton as a member of its conference on July 1st and is also targeting both Monmouth and Stony Brook as potential members, multiple sources told College Hoops Today. There...

 

[tblack33]

Jon Rothstein
@JonRothstein
·
24m

NEWS: The CAA is expected to add Hampton as a member on July 1st and is also targeting both Stony Brook and Monmouth as potential members, according to multiple sources.

collegehoopstoday.com
Sources: CAA expected to add Hampton on July 1st, targeting Monmouth and Stony Brook
The CAA is expected to add Hampton as a member of its conference on July 1st and is also targeting both Monmouth and Stony Brook as potential members, multiple sources told College Hoops Today. There...

Damn I’m glad we jumped when we did.