Originally Posted by
HoustonCajun
That would be a more ideal scenario with a Western Conference that would look like this:
UL, Tulane, USM, Rice, TX State, UTSA
N. Texas, Ark State, Memphis, Tulsa, UAB, + 1 team in
The problem is the AAC is a market driven conference and would not likely agree. This is a lateral move for most schools although a better regional conference.
Tulane and Memphis have bigger ambitions as should UL. The PAC 7 as it currently stands is better than the SBC and the AAC, IMO, and would be better with UL, Texas State, Tulane and Memphis. It may take a couple of years for Tulane and Memphis to be able to financially leave the AAC, but the PAC will still be their only higher conference option and we would already be a member. Additionally, look for other members of the MWC to possibly join at some point.
The PAC should pay much more than $7M to attract the right members and maintain status as the top G5 conference. $7M is our floor for joining, certainly not our ceiling. Before its breakup, the PAC paid $33M to each member. Of course, they had major brands as members and have to replace those with lesser brands. How much lesser and what the networks will pay is the question.