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Closed Door BOT Discussion

FCS Fan said:
Hey All,
Montana Fan here. I'm glad Vandal posted when he did, as I've also had some thoughts but in a bit different direction....allow me a moment, as I understand the look down with fcs schools from fbs...

Here goes...
I could (fcs eyes) see a situation where wyo and a few mw schools could get "land locked" per say (like idaho did with sun belt). If unlv and af leave, that in my mind leaves wyo as a bit outlier as the then most northern school, away from other mw remaining schools.
I could never see wyo dropping down rather, what if the mw went after a 2 division approach. If it could court say, the dakotas, Montanas, idaho, you would instantly have an 8 team north.
If you could then keep nev, unm, sjsu, hawaii, then bring in sac st, uc davis, cal poly, nm st, it would seem to align and might create a pretty formidable conference. Yes some title 9 add to sports but most of the fcs schools I mentioned have that or could add a sport (I think of wrestling at montana).
It would then seem to create natural border war type rivalry, at least with a north division.
Anyway, just was curious on your thoughts.
A couple assumptions on my part. I'm assuming that und and sdu (no dak and so dak) have the fiscal capacity to make it. Both are also highly ranked in fcs currently.
The montana schools have the fan support, upgraded facilities as well. I don't think idaho st has the capacity for the financial move, as well as the other big sky schools. The only other possible and completely possible school that might be able to make a transition would be Northern AZ, (Weber??). My guess that's a reach. In my above scenario the big sky would remain with E Wash, Idaho st, N Colo, Weber (they might be able to go),N Az. Anyway, thanks for allowing me to just chime in.

Such a mess.... AND my scenario above would probably be a big order, off the menu. When I look at it, from fcs eyes, I think most of those schools could jump, and jump to make it competitive

Additional add: sac st and davis are very close schools. Don't know if that could work but both have money and are expanding. Perhaps replace one of them with another cal up comer?
Ps, the playoffs at the fcs level are so much fun. Glad they are expanding it in fbs.
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Didn't the FBS change the fee to $5 million to move up to FBS level? Why is everyone mentioning Sac State, it seems like I am missing something, has Sac State already expressed an interest in doing this? ALthough when i look at the Knight Commission list they do have one of the biggest budgets at the FCS level: https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances. Although if you go by that Davis is the highest non FBS budget Everything i read has always indicated Montana and Montana State had no interest in being at the FBS level.
 
Vandal said:
There’s a report out there that the Penile-12 has had the strategy of getting the MW dissolved by any means necessary.
Supposedly they’re trying to get nine members to leave the MW whether it’s via a P-12 invite or other conference invite.
Then the departing members would have incentive to vote for dissolution to avoid the exit fees for both the schools themselves and the P-12.
In the end, as always, it’s all about money.
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Just wait… The Big 12 has always had its eyes on destroying the PAC brand. The move I’m waiting for is a Big 12 invite to Wazzu. Essentially killing any hopes of a PAC brand and leaving OSU with no choice but to come to the MWC. They can keep their war chest and we will accept everyone back, but Boise’s old contract stipulations will be null and void.
What I wish would happen is that in the meantime, both leagues merge. Add those WCC schools for basketball excitement. Then, be the first conference to implement a relegation, promotion system for $ distribution. Top 6 schools get a larger slice of pie, and success on the field is rewarded by the almighty dollar and the natural normal reward of good bowl games for fans. The MWC has been the conference that’s started a lot of other trends, so why not? Then the NCAA can steal the idea, break off into the power 2 that is inevitably coming, and off we go.
 
rocket city poke said:
Didn't the FBS change the fee to $5 million to move up to FBS level? Why is everyone mentioning Sac State, it seems like I am missing something, has Sac State already expressed an interest in doing this? ALthough when i look at the Knight Commission list they do have one of the biggest budgets at the FCS level: https://sportsdata.usatoday.com/ncaa/finances. Although if you go by that Davis is the highest non FBS budget Everything i read has always indicated Montana and Montana State had no interest in being at the FBS level.
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Sac State has released a statement that they are evaluating moving up. Reports are they have reached out to both MWC and PAC.
 
Cowpoke99 said:
Sick of hearing from FCS fans about adding FCS teams to the MWC or Wyoming dropping to FCS
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While it sucks that this discussion is even taking place, with both Hawai'i and UNLV seriously evaluating (and negotiating with) PAC-X, and Air Force still being courted by their fellow service academies, you can't have a conference that consists of
Wyoming
New Mexico
San Jose State
Nevada

So what are the other options?
 
Asmodeanreborn said:
While it sucks that this discussion is even taking place, with both Hawai'i and UNLV seriously evaluating (and negotiating with) PAC-X, and Air Force still being courted by their fellow service academies, you can't have a conference that consists of
Wyoming
New Mexico
San Jose State
Nevada

So what are the other options?
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These programs would have to put up millions in exit fees that they probably don't have for what is essentially a sideways move. Seems doubtful.
 
Asmodeanreborn said:
While it sucks that this discussion is even taking place, with both Hawai'i and UNLV seriously evaluating (and negotiating with) PAC-X, and Air Force still being courted by their fellow service academies, you can't have a conference that consists of
Wyoming
New Mexico
San Jose State
Nevada

So what are the other options?
Click to expand...
I don't like the idea of moving down but am not opposed to having some FCS move up to join us. I would enjoy the regionality of being in a conference with Idaho, Montana, Montana State, South Dakota, South Dakota State, NoDak and NoDak State. It has been discussed at length that these schools have no interest in moving up (or at least limited interest). But I think these are growing areas and markets and potentially interesting from a TV standpoint (longer term especially) and they are already competitive (far more than we are currently). Add FBS resources and attention and they would be even more juiced to compete and win at the FBS level. I also am intrigued by UC Davis (beautiful and trying to develop a quality program) and Sac State.

I have little interest in New Mexico State and UTEP for some reason. Maybe it is my generally malaise about that part of the country.
 
J-Bone said:
These programs would have to put up millions in exit fees that they probably don't have for what is essentially a sideways move. Seems doubtful.
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I agree with this. They may move. But it is risky. The lawsuit filed by the PAC feels desperate and is shady. I understand why they did it, but the optics aren't exactly reassuring for any school they are trying to entice. There is a reason that AFA, UNLV and the AAC teams told them no. There is something that isn't right in their deal - otherwise they would have jumped. I'm betting the TV deal is still not settled, the ante into the game is too high (for some), and the cost/benefit just doesn't justify the risk/cost. At least right now.
 
Note the member on the negotiating team. Last line.

Honolulu Mayor Rick Blangiardi assembled a third-party group that has been lobbying for the University of Hawaii football team to gain admittance into the Pac-12 Conference.

“As mayor, I’m not supposed to cross a few lines,” Blangiardi told the Honolulu Star-Advertiser in a telephone interview. “But this is really important to our community.”

After the Pac-12 was gutted with 10 departures the past year, holdovers Oregon State and Washington State have worked to restock the league.

On Sept. 11, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State announced their intent to secede from the Mountain West and join the Pac-12 in 2026. On Monday, Utah State also announced a move from the Mountain West, giving both conferences seven members. Eight football teams are needed to maintain FBS status and consideration for a playoff berth. UH has been a football-only member of the Mountain West since 2012.

A month ago, the third-party group initiated meetings with Pac-12 officials. Two weeks later, “I was concerned when the four schools announced (their departure from the Mountain West),” said Blangiardi, who was then told by the group, “we still have a chance. There are two more (spots in the Pac-12). Now there’s one.”

Blangiardi, who has no financial nor negotiating stake, said Duane Kurisu agreed to underwrite the lobbying effort. Kurisu’s resume includes being chairman and CEO of aio; real estate investor and owner of office buildings, shopping centers and industrial parks; and a minority owner of the San Francisco Giants.

The negotiating team includes:

>> Craig Thompson, who was commissioner for the first 24 years of the 25-year-old Mountain West.
 
Cowpoke99 said:
Sick of hearing from FCS fans about adding FCS teams to the MWC or Wyoming dropping to FCS
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I didn’t mean to crash your board or push a narrative. These changes could impact any DI or DII athletic program in the West. I like Idaho where it is, unless enough schools move up, turning the Big Sky into a de facto DIII-level conference. Idaho is the only team to have dropped from FBS to FCS, so we’ve experienced the highs and lows of each.

With NIL and realignment—a catch-22—the landscape of football is changing. The major concern on the Idaho board isn’t about joining the Mountain West, but the domino effect: what if the Montanas and/or Dakotas move up? Then what?

If you don’t mind, I enjoy engaging with different perspectives and viewpoints on this topic and I’m curious what your thoughts are.
 
OrediggerPoke said:
The law has a way of saying ‘if it looks like a duck, quacks like a duck, then it is a duck.’ A nuance of you’re not a ‘conflicted member’ simply because you didn’t pay the $5000 fee required by the bylaws to exit is unlikely to hold water IMO. Courts apply ‘equitable analysis’ in their rationale. These minor distinctions between PAC language and MWC bylaw language aren’t going to hold water IMO and courts will look at recent prior precedent.
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Especially if they’ve already signed an agreement with the other conference.
 
My personal forecast is that the B1G and the SEC will break away in football with some select others. With any luck, basketball and other sports will retain it's regionality and perhaps the schools in those conferences will re-organize. This is very similar to the 1978 split between FCS and FBS (was D-1 and D-1AA at the time). Decreased money may make the games more enjoyable.

Another option is for those teams to go to a model of non-involvement with NIL and just supplying scholarships, room and board, and study assistance. If the athletes leave for the $$ at the levels I will no longer care about, fine. I'll still support Wyoming Athletics and the university.

Hopefully the Wyoming Politics won't kill the University's Academics too.
 
sandiegopoke said:
My personal forecast is that the B1G and the SEC will break away in football with some select others. With any luck, basketball and other sports will retain it's regionality and perhaps the schools in those conferences will re-organize. This is very similar to the 1978 split between FCS and FBS (was D-1 and D-1AA at the time). Decreased money may make the games more enjoyable.

Another option is for those teams to go to a model of non-involvement with NIL and just supplying scholarships, room and board, and study assistance. If the athletes leave for the $$ at the levels I will no longer care about, fine. I'll still support Wyoming Athletics and the university.

Hopefully the Wyoming Politics won't kill the University's Academics too.
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Get ready. I hear that UW is very much in the sights of the newly minted majority in the Wyoming Legislature. Past efforts to defund, control, manipulate, and direct the University will look like child's play. I would guess that the state funds that were approved in prior years for athletic competitiveness and match for capital construction, etc. would be on the chopping block. I also think that the block grant funding approach will be nixed in favor of specific allocations by series - like all other agencies "enjoy".
 
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LawPoke said:
Get ready. I hear that UW is very much in the sights of the newly minted majority in the Wyoming Legislature. Past efforts to defund, control, manipulate, and direct the University will look like child's play. I would guess that the state funds that were approved in prior years for athletic competitiveness and match for capital construction, etc. would be on the chopping block. I also think that the block grant funding approach will be nixed in favor of specific allocations by series - like all other agencies "enjoy".
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I happen to be friends with the chief lobbiest for UW. He's bracing himself for a rough legislative session. Luckily the Governor is a reasonable person and will do what he can to protect the University from his desk, but he'll be out of there in 2027.
 
WYO1016 said:
I happen to be friends with the chief lobbiest for UW. He's bracing himself for a rough legislative session. Luckily the Governor is a reasonable person and will do what he can to protect the University from his desk, but he'll be out of there in 2027.
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Mike has some very difficult years ahead of him. Great guy. Well-equipped to handle it. But very challenging. I'm glad he's there.
 
Asmodeanreborn said:
While it sucks that this discussion is even taking place, with both Hawai'i and UNLV seriously evaluating (and negotiating with) PAC-X, and Air Force still being courted by their fellow service academies, you can't have a conference that consists of
Wyoming
New Mexico
San Jose State
Nevada

So what are the other options?
Click to expand...
In this scenario - wed have a $250M war chest to play with.

That's why I don't think anymore teams are leaving - at this point, you're paying $20M to leave and saying goodbye to $10-$20M. That's a $30M swing.
 
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