American Athletic Conference

[ShockerEngr]

That's the big obstacle that could hold this up.

The current schools are certainly not going to take a cut to bring WSU into the league. The current contract expires in 2019. I'm certain all current members of the AAC are expecting more $$ from the next contract. The value of WSU in the AAC would have to increase the next contract by enough that the existing schools could get their expected increase AND to give WSU a share. That's the absolute minimum. A more reasonable outlook would be that the existing schools get a bump BEYOND what they expect from the new contract.

The addition of WSU to the AAC pretty much has to be approved by ESPN in the form of a significantly higher contract for basketball rights after 2019. It is entirely possible that the AAC has already been in contact with ESPN, and that ESPN is playing hardball, which led to Aresco's "not at this time" comment. Some posters on the AAC board have considered this a likely scenario.

The sell for Boatright and Bardo might be ESPN rather than the AAC, although there are definite obstacels there as well.

WSU or no WSU, the contract that gets renewed is not likely to be for more money...ESPN is on the wrong side of cord cutting.

Thats not necessarily a negative though...ESPN could require an increase in inventory as part of a new contract that would be to WSUs benefit

[Ricardo del Rio]

As I recall (and I think this agrees with the MVC Constitution), CU gave up all their NCAA shares. WSU is going to have to be prepared to give up all MVC NCAA tourney shares, and not participate in any AAC tourney shares prior to joining the conference (if the iinvitation happens). that will likely cost a couple hundred grand.

Chump change in sports television fees, royalties, increase ticket prices, and the like, these days.

[WSUwatcher]

WSU or no WSU, the contract that gets renewed is not likely to be for more money...ESPN is on the wrong side of cord cutting.

Thats not necessarily a negative though...ESPN could require an increase in inventory as part of a new contract that would be to WSUs benefit

Good point, Engr -- Disney's financial performance is pretty good these days, EXCEPT for ESPN.

[jdmee]

Right now ESPN gets WSU for basically free. How much more is it worth to ESPN to have WSU vs UConn, vs Cincy, vs ... over WSU vs UNI, vs Drake, vs ...

[Shocker-maniac]

WSU or no WSU, the contract that gets renewed is not likely to be for more money...ESPN is on the wrong side of cord cutting.

Thats not necessarily a negative though...ESPN could require an increase in inventory as part of a new contract that would be to WSUs benefit

Very true. The rumor in Bristol is that there will be a major reduction in the on air talent in the next few weeks.

[jdmee]

How is Navy's share in the AAC determined? Do they get a full share or a football %?

[ShoxRoxMySox]

Very true. The rumor in Bristol is that there will be a major reduction in the on air talent in the next few weeks.

Wouldn't surprise me, ESPN has been trimming fat for some time now and that'll happen when you overpay for the NBA and MNF.

[Starfox207]

Hey Shox, Its Starfox207 here, and I just want to say, I would absolutely love you guys as conference mates. I am an ECU Alum, and The American is a great conference. I love being apart of it. I do barrel rolls of excitement when I see the articles of expansion with you., and I really want this to happen. Out of the names discussed you are the real deal compared to d/v, because to be honest. I am a huge football fan, and although I do not follow basketball, I am starting to. I was from Connecticut, and my homestate loves the Huskies, but going to ECU. nothing is greater in my heart than pirates. With that said, The Clout that the Huskies have, you definitely have it as well I have learned in the past few months. Even since I think the summer these murmuers have started?

Anyway, we are a conferene AliVE, and in comparson to MWC, Cusa, sunbelt, mac. alive and thriving. I hope we hear good news after the tournament. Good Luck Shockers!!

[Dave Stalwart]

I love having all these AAC visitors. The welcome will clearly be warm if we get the invitation and take it. We are in a conference full of jealous schools that root for our failure and make snarky comments from the conference offices on down to the fans. Meanwhile we get visitors from the AAC who seem to really appreciate WSU and want us around.

[Eric]

nm

[wusphlash]

Watching the AAC tourney. Very few butts in the seats for the Tulsa/Tulane game which is not totally surprising being the game is in Hartford, CT. There is a pretty good discussion on an AAC board, http://csnbbs.com/forum-460.html, about locations for conference tourneys.

Comments were made that their tourney doesn't draw. That's unsettling. Some believe campus site are best for attendance. Not a big fan of that. Others call for a centralized location such as Memphis. While that would certainly give MU ( not MSU) an advantage, I can see 4/6K Shocker fans traveling to Memphis just as we do to St. Louis. Pretty sure that as the new kid on the block we'll have little influence but if they are worried about attendance simply put the tourney within reasonable reach of Shocker Nation. Hell, we even show up when we're not playing.

[60Shock]

Paraphrased from The Animal's hit song, 'We've got to get out of this place (Conference) if it's the last thing we ever do!'

[Shock Top]

Watching the AAC tourney. Very few butts in the seats for the Tulsa/Tulane game which is not totally surprising being the game is in Hartford, CT. There is a pretty good discussion on an AAC board, http://csnbbs.com/forum-460.html, about locations for conference tourneys.

Comments were made that their tourney doesn't draw. That's unsettling. Some believe campus site are best for attendance. Not a big fan of that. Others call for a centralized location such as Memphis. While that would certainly give MU ( not MSU) an advantage, I can see 4/6K Shocker fans traveling to Memphis just as we do to St. Louis. Pretty sure that as the new kid on the block we'll have little influence but if they are worried about attendance simply put the tourney within reasonable reach of Shocker Nation. Hell, we even show up when we're not playing.

Maybe starting their own Arch Madness style tourney in, say, Chicago would work.

Though not centrally located, every airport flys into Chicago. Travel could be cheap(ish) and there is plenty else to do in Chicago and plenty of hotels in and around downtown Chi-Town and the United Center.

AAC Chi-Town Championship!!

[Shock Top]

If the Valley does anything right, it is Arch Madness. WSU could bring that to the table in the AAC to help purpose a way to make their tournament just as successful.

[LandStander]

Maybe starting their own Arch Madness style tourney in, say, Chicago would work.

Though not centrally located, every airport flys into Chicago. Travel could be cheap(ish) and there is plenty else to do in Chicago and plenty of hotels in and around downtown Chi-Town and the United Center.

AAC Chi-Town Championship!!

Big 10 tournament is in Chicago. Someone mentioned Nashville. What's more American than Nashville?