The Independent Expansion Groundswell

[il Padrino Ute]

WTF Fresno?

I know perhaps the rational thing is to just continue in the MWC, but I just can't bear the thought of being in the same conference with those assholes for less money.

C'mon, CMBF. What happened is funny. It's just as funny as what you think would be funny in this post.

[Jacob]

I think, unless BYU gets major concessions from the MWC, they declare independence. As far as the major concessions go, I say they need a deal close to what they were going to get with the WAC including owning the broadcast rights for a few of the home football games, and rebroadcast rights for all home games.

If the MWC can't provide that deal, I think BYU will makes it's announcement of independence with a caveat:

"Due to the notice requirements of the MWC bylaws, we announce that we will leave the conference beginning next year. We continue to negotiate with the MWC to see if an agreement can be reached for BYU to remain in the MWC, but unless such an agreement can be reached soon, we will prepare for independence next year."

[HuskyFreeNorthwest]

So I have long heard that September 1 is the drop dead day for this stuff. Is that true or just another rumor?

I hope that whatever happens this crap is over with when football is actually being played.

[Clark Addison]

Do you really blame them, CMBF, for rejecting a that would have locked them in the WAC for 5 years while BYU could leave to an AQ conference at any time?

Since they appear to be one of the three parties that put the whole deal together, I think they deserve a bit of disapprobation.

[LA Ute]

Since they appear to be one of the three parties that put the whole deal together, I think they deserve a bit of disapprobation.

Now there you may have a point. I'd love to know how the BYU exit clause got put into the document (did FSU and UNR welcome that or fight it?) and what made them change their minds. What I don't understand (and I am willing to be convinced) is why the WAC schools thought the deal made sense. Were they going to get some extra TV money because of it? Enough to justify that lock-in provision?

[YOhio]

What I don't understand (and I am willing to be convinced) is why the WAC schools thought the deal made sense. Were they going to get some extra TV money because of it? Enough to justify that lock-in provision?

The emails seem to indicate that once the BYU move was in place then ESPN would be willing to renegotiate their TV deal.

[Moliere]

Now there you may have a point. I'd love to know how the BYU exit clause got put into the document (did FSU and UNR welcome that or fight it?) and what made them change their minds. What I don't understand (and I am willing to be convinced) is why the WAC schools thought the deal made sense. Were they going to get some extra TV money because of it? Enough to justify that lock-in provision?

It wasn't jsut a BYU exit clause as I thought it applied to all teams. So if FSU got an invite to the PAC 10 (not unimaginable if they expand to 16 teams) they could also bolt to a AQ conference without penalty.

[LA Ute]

It wasn't jsut a BYU exit clause as I thought it applied to all teams. So if FSU got an invite to the PAC 10 (not unimaginable if they expand to 16 teams) they could also bolt to a AQ conference without penalty.

It did, but don't you think BYU was the source of, and insisted on, that provision? The theory most people accept here is that the independence + WAC deal was just a short-term springboard for BYU to the Big 12.

[Sizzle]

Now there you may have a point. I'd love to know how the BYU exit clause got put into the document (did FSU and UNR welcome that or fight it?) and what made them change their minds. What I don't understand (and I am willing to be convinced) is why the WAC schools thought the deal made sense. Were they going to get some extra TV money because of it? Enough to justify that lock-in provision?

Because if the Mountain West was falling apart, and if Boise were to head back to the WAC, and the rumors of SDSU and UNLV coming over were true, then the WAC is in a position of power. Plus, with a renegotiated deal with ESPN, they would be in pretty good shape. Honestly, probably better shape financially with that tv deal than with what they will get from the Mtn. But they didn't like it. And they are about to find out that when you mess with the cougs, you get the paws.

[Jarid in Cedar]

And they are about to find out that when you mess with the cougs, you get the paws.

[beefytee]

So I have long heard that September 1 is the drop dead day for this stuff. Is that true or just another rumor?

I hope that whatever happens this crap is over with when football is actually being played.

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=2&ved=0CBYQFjAB&url=http%3A%2F%2Fgraphics.fansonly.com%2Fschools%2Fmwc%2Fgraphics%2Fpdfs%2Fhandbook%2Fappabylaws0910.pdf&ei=9eB3TMLTJYG88gb2z6mfCg&usg=AFQjCNHet0X5cLOaPbK6ahqE8PPU_PdV7g

1.04 Resignation.

(b) Any Member Institution may resign from membership in the Conference effective June 30, 2001, or any June 30 thereafter (the “Effective Date”) by delivering written notice to the Conference and the other Members on or before the preceding September 1st (the “Notice Date”). The period from a Notice Date to an Effective Date is referred to herein as the “Interim Period.”

[Color Me Badd Fan]

C'mon, CMBF. What happened is funny. It's just as funny as what you think would be funny in this post.

If I were a Ute fan, I would be savoring every moment of this.

[BigFatMeanie]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=498|sid=12167861

I agree pretty much with Wrubell's take on the situation between BYU and the MWC. Too much poison in the water for BYU to stay in the pond.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

http://www.ksl.com/?nid=498|sid=12167861

I agree pretty much with Wrubell's take on the situation between BYU and the MWC. Too much poison in the water for BYU to stay in the pond.

I think the real sticky issue for BYU is scheduling in 2011, no? Aren't Fresno and Nevada bolting for 2011?

IMO, the WCC is better than the WAC regardless, but it can't help with football scheduling. I don't think BYU would have too much of an issue scheduling eight games between what it already has scheduled non-conference, a 1-AA opponent and the remaining WAC remnants (SJSU, Hawaii and Idaho). But scheduling four more games in such a short period of time could be really problematic. I would be willing to bet that the AD has spent some considerable time since last week trying to shore up a 2011 schedule. I looked at the 2011 schedules for the MAC, C-USA and independents and some decent schools have some openings (Notre Dame, Houston and Central Michigan all have two open slots).

[Uncle Ted]

I think the real sticky issue for BYU is scheduling in 2011, no? Aren't Fresno and Nevada bolting for 2011?

IMO, the WCC is better than the WAC regardless, but it can't help with football scheduling. I don't think BYU would have too much of an issue scheduling eight games between what it already has scheduled non-conference, a 1-AA opponent and the remaining WAC remnants (SJSU, Hawaii and Idaho). But scheduling four more games in such a short period of time could be really problematic. I would be willing to bet that the AD has spent some considerable time since last week trying to shore up a 2011 schedule. I looked at the 2011 schedules for the MAC, C-USA and independents and some decent schools have some openings (Notre Dame, Houston and Central Michigan all have two open slots).

I am under the impression that Fresno and Nevada have to play in the WAC for the 2011-12 academic season due to the WAC bylaws (missing the July 1st deadline).