The more I think about, if I were Harper I wouldn't pay ONE dime to join the PAC. If they want UNLV, make the offer. But don't expect UNLV to pay an exit fee to the MWC. Why? No matter how it is dressed up and what ever you want to call it the PAC is G5! No different from the MAC, Sun Belt, AAC or what ever.
What matters is winning and Boise State became a national program as a G5 by winning and it wasn't in the MWC. It was in the WAC playing many of the exact same teams that the PAC now wants to discard and leave behind in Hawaii, SJSU, Nevada, Idaho, Louisiana Tech and Utah State. Did conference affiliation as a member of the WAC stop Boise in 2007 when they went 13-0, went to a BCS Bowl game and defeated Oklahoma and ended up ranked 5th in the final AP poll. NO!
If I were Harper, I would gladly accept the $15-20 mill or what ever it is from WSU and OSU and give Barry Odom a $1,000,000 pay raise and extend his contract. Also, I would give raises to the assistants. Right now, retaining BO and staff is more important than any G5 conference affiliation, because IMO he is on the path to achieving something special at UNLV and he can do it in the MWC or the PAC. It doesn't matter! Just WIN!
