NIU TO MWC

[Bullmastiff 1]

NIU has had an offer on the table now for a few days. I saw some Twitter chatter that a decision is imminent and NIU seems to be on the way to the MWC. Obviously nothing confirmed yet and haven't seen it from any national media yet.

If this happens I think it's a very good addition for the MWC.

It opens the doors for some other Easter or Central time zone schools to jump on board.

After looking at all the possible realistic options out there I think these could all be in play.

1- NDSU Football only. Would be an excellent addition. They actually do solid TV numbers for an FCS schools.
2- Toledo Football only. Pretty solid MAC program and gives NIU at least one travel partner. (Although for FB only not nearly as important.
3- The two Montana schools and South Dakota State would basically corner those markets. Small markets to be sure but you would have them locked down.

I do think MWC would be wise to have enough teams to play 9 conference games and 3 OOC games and have a conference title game. Committee spokesperson said the 'valued conference champions'.

UNLV
SJSU
WYO
UNM
RENO
AFA
HAWAII
UTEP
NIU -FB only
NDSU- FB only

Gives you 10.

Adding Montana schools an even 12 and a conference title game. CFP spokesperson came out last week saying they valued conference championships in their seedlings.

Thoughts, Stay at 9? 10? go to 12? I think 12 would be max..

 

[dcut03]

A couple of things.

You don't need a conference championship game for a conference champion.

You don't need a minimum amount of teams for a conference championship anymore.

Here is a article talking about the PAC considering a Championship game regardless of the amount of teams they have

Jon Wilner: New Pac-12 considering a conference title game for 2026, beyond

San Diego State’s new league will consider hosting a title game at home, neutral sites — or could opt against having one at all

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Adding ndsu as a football only is a little weird, usually it is the other way around like the whole UCD addition. Elevating a football school has that 5 mil price tag and other requirements. Not sure if they are ready to go right now or not.

NIU adds the Midwest and the central time zones and they would need a partner, but I dont think adding them and a partner increases media share money it may keep us the same, but an addition like NDSU would probably drop value. Not a ton of eyeballs there. I mean look at those schools media value currently.

Staying put reduces conference games which would be a good thing considering that any team hopeful of the playoff would likely need better competition than the conference games alone. 1 fewer conference game could help boost the overall SOS.

 

[Meister_Rebel]

They will probably have to make two announcements. One for football to the MW and the other for all other sports going to another conference. If they aren't coming then it's just one simple announcement.

I hope Gloria made them an offer they couldn't refuse.

 

[rebelzzz]

I would say no to the Montana schools. NIU is a good add. I would say 10 max teams. Not sure NDSU is the right team to add.

 

[hrz702]

The Montana and North Dakota state stuff is so irritating.

 

[RedCannon]

... and then the reverse merger with the PAC happens to create a monster 🤣

 

[Meister_Rebel]

... and then the reverse merger with the PAC happens to create a monster 🤣

There isn't any reason not to have a merged conference if you think a little out of the box. A Pac division and a Mountain division. Each division can have their own separate media contracts. Their home games covered under their contract and our home games covered under ours. They get the money they want and we don't have to be adding a butt load of teams. You don't have to have a championship game although it would narrow things down for the CFP otherwise the champion is selected by their record and SOS and such. I might be missing something but I'll let our "experts" weigh in.

 

[RebelScrub]

We stayed in this shit conference to not pay exit fees???

 

[Meister_Rebel]

We stayed in this shit conference to not pay exit fees???

No. We stayed in this shit conference because the MWC promised us a shit load of money.

 

[rebswin2]

There isn't any reason not to have a merged conference if you think a little out of the box. A Pac division and a Mountain division. Each division can have their own separate media contracts. Their home games covered under their contract and our home games covered under ours. They get the money they want and we don't have to be adding a butt load of teams. You don't have to have a championship game although it would narrow things down for the CFP otherwise the champion is selected by their record and SOS and such. I might be missing something but I'll let our "experts" weigh in.

Yep instead you get what we are left with a really bad MWC, and a PAC which is definitely better than the MWC but could have been better than what it is.

 

[dcut03]

No. We stayed in this shit conference because the MWC promised us a shit load of money.

meehhhh....

I think we stayed in this shit conference more for the free pass than the promised money.

Going to the PAC would be better for the long term financially. Havning more money "up front" meaning in the next year or so is helpful knowing we needed to extend Odom or get another big name, so that helps vs having to pay exit fees.
But the annual payout will likely be the similar. Paying off exit fees in 3 years over time after being negotiated down would be near the same net per year as what we will likely get annually after our bonus. After that, then it would be like an extra 3 mil per year.

Again all of this to be seen, But I have seen that after Octagon the PAC is expecting 14 mil? Maybe they were able to get another media partner on board. Who knows, I don't believe it until I see it, but I would not be surprised that the base media contract for the PAC could be nearly double than the MW, especially after these recent additions that likely drag the per school payouts down.

 

[Rosegreen1]

Prefer NIU and Texas State. Add Wichita State for basketball.

It really depends on what the TV executives want, they are driving the bus on this not Gloria.

If the NPAC loses out on Texas State AND Memphis, they will struggle to be relevant with the payouts and crap tv deal since it’s heavily regional.

 

[dcut03]

Wichita is AAC, I'm not sure if we can afford more to pay them more over an above to make up for the extra travel.

 

[Loyal Coug1]

NIU has had an offer on the table now for a few days. I saw some Twitter chatter that a decision is imminent and NIU seems to be on the way to the MWC. Obviously nothing confirmed yet and haven't seen it from any national media yet.


After looking at all the possible realistic options out there I think these could all be in play.

1- NDSU Football only. Would be an excellent addition. They actually do solid TV numbers for an FCS schools.
2- Toledo Football only. Pretty solid MAC program and gives NIU at least one travel partner. (Although for FB only not nearly as important.
3- The two Montana schools and South Dakota State would basically corner those markets. Small markets to be sure but you would have them locked down.


Adding Montana schools an even 12 and a conference title game. CFP spokesperson came out last week saying they valued conference championships in their seedlings.

Thoughts, Stay at 9? 10? go to 12? I think 12 would be max..

A couple of things.

You don't need a conference championship game for a conference champion.

You don't need a minimum amount of teams for a conference championship anymore.

Here is a article talking about the PAC considering a Championship game regardless of the amount of teams they have

Jon Wilner: New Pac-12 considering a conference title game for 2026, beyond

San Diego State’s new league will consider hosting a title game at home, neutral sites — or could opt against having one at all

www.sandiegouniontribune.com

Multitasking this morning.

Bull, my friend - Toledo is a "pretty solid MAC program". The turd in my toilet this morning was pretty solid too, but I didn't invite it to stay for dinner. And I think the Montana and Dakota schools already have their markets cornered right where they are. I see SDSU, NDSU, South Dakota and Montana State are playing Saturday, both games on ABC.

dcut - I love articles that quote our stupid Pac Commissioner. “Our Mountain West members haven’t had an event of the caliber we put on,” Gould said. “The experience for the student-athletes is important.”

Yeah that recent MW title game was definitely low caliber Teresa. Shit, I've seen Pac-12 title games that had 30,000 or less in attendance.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

Multitasking this morning.

Bull, my friend - Toledo is a "pretty solid MAC program". The turd in my toilet this morning was pretty solid too, but I didn't invite it to stay for dinner. And I think the Montana and Dakota schools already have their markets cornered right where they are. I see SDSU, NDSU, South Dakota and Montana State are playing Saturday, both games on ABC.

dcut - I love articles that quote our stupid Pac Commissioner. “Our Mountain West members haven’t had an event of the caliber we put on,” Gould said. “The experience for the student-athletes is important.”

Yeah that recent MW title game was definitely low caliber Teresa. Shit, I've seen Pac-12 title games that had 30,000 or less in attendance.

MWC isn't currently filled with many quality much less solid programs. We added UTEP. (Sorry UTEP fans) one of CUSA's worst programs.

As for NDSU. They've done everything possible at the FCS level.

Yes NDSU has that market cornered. There aren't any other real options for MWC to explore. NMSU would be redundant after already getting UTEP. The Montana schools and South Dakota State while small markets would be new markets for the MWC. NDSU actually does solid TV numbers all things considered.

Do I love the idea of Toledo..Hardly..But beggars can't be choosers and we are most certainly closer to beggar status than chooser status.

 

[InZoneU]

Yep instead you get what we are left with a really bad MWC, and a PAC which is definitely better than the MWC but could have been better than what it is.

Yeah. But we're both fighting for the same playoff spot. For now anyways. That's all that really matters for the next few years. It will all change.

 

[Rebel1986]

Multitasking this morning.

Bull, my friend - Toledo is a "pretty solid MAC program". The turd in my toilet this morning was pretty solid too, but I didn't invite it to stay for dinner. And I think the Montana and Dakota schools already have their markets cornered right where they are. I see SDSU, NDSU, South Dakota and Montana State are playing Saturday, both games on ABC.

dcut - I love articles that quote our stupid Pac Commissioner. “Our Mountain West members haven’t had an event of the caliber we put on,” Gould said. “The experience for the student-athletes is important.”

Yeah that recent MW title game was definitely low caliber Teresa. Shit, I've seen Pac-12 title games that had 30,000 or less in attendance.

If the MWC championship game had been played in LV, I have no doubt that over 50K would have attended.

 

[Boston Rebel 2]

If the MWC championship game had been played in LV, I have no doubt that over 50K would have attended.

And if that had been us and North Dakota you could take the zero off that attendance number. I can't wait to play games in November in Fargo when it's minus 138 degrees.

 

[Gator 82]

And if that had been us and North Dakota you could take the zero off that attendance number. I can't wait to play games in November in Fargo when it's minus 138 degrees.

They play in the Fargo Dome

https://www.google.com/search?clien...ih=606&dpr=3#vhid=5icTWI5wKxxREM&vssid=mosaic

 

[dcut03]

Moving up to FBS did eliminate hurdles, but it looks like the scholarship requirements can be the biggest hurdle for moving up. I am guessing that if you move up to football only the same requirements apply? Technically the other sports are already D1.

The NCAA announced new FBS requirements. Here are the biggest hurdles for FCS programs

The NCAA DI council recently adopted changes to membership requirements for FBS schools. Some university presidents and athletic directors provided opinions on which new requirements will hinder programs seeking to move up.

www.texasfootball.com

 

[bcvegaspt2]

 

[1Tripoda]

I am watching some North Dakota State U games. This team can definitely compete within the MWC. They have some talents.

 

[RebelSoldat]

I am watching some North Dakota State U games. This team can definitely compete within the MWC. They have some talents.

NDSU can probably become the next Boise State pretty quick if they make the jump

 

[1Tripoda]

NDSU vs NIU game earlier this year

 

[Rebel1986]

NDSU can probably become the next Boise State pretty quick if they make the jump

The problem is they bring nothing to the market in regards to eyeballs on the screen!

 

[1Tripoda]

The problem is they bring nothing to the market in regards to eyeballs on the screen!

They dont, but I just love how they play football though. The girls gotta be helluva fine too

 

[rebswin2]

Does NDSU want to move up?

 

[WarthogRebel]

NDSU can probably become the next Boise State pretty quick if they make the jump

Facilities are a big problem. The Fargodome holds fewer than 19,000 when it totally full. BUT, they only fill it for rivalry games. They got 18,700 for S. Dakota State but only got 10,200 for Abilene-Christian. And it looks like there is no way to expand - meaning they would need a new stadium. ( below is a picture of the Fargodome and an article on costs to build a 30,000 seat Stadium)

Fargodome Gets a New AstroTurf Magic Carpet in Time for the 2022 NDSU Bison Football Season

astroturf.com

https://www.perplexity.ai/search/how-much-would-a-new-football-fVdgfSMyRdqApnOyYgd2EA

 

[jmcnamaraiii]

It won’t be Montana schools due to the market and time zone.

The commish has been strategic with TV markets. All the adds have been top 50 markets: Hawaii (Honolulu) UTEP (El Paso) Grand Canyon (Phoenix) and UC Davis (Sacramento) Targets: NIU (Chicago) Toledo (Detroit/Cleveland) and Tarlton (Dallas/Fort Worth) align with this, plus you add time zones. This is to maximize the new TV contact.

Listened to the AD of UC Davis and they’re bringing football to the Mountain West. Just have to upgrade the stadium, which they have multiple phases in place.

North Dakota is a back up, if NIU doesn’t come together. The only target without a big market, but has a brand and adds the central time zone.

Sounds like NIU is figuring out where to put Olympic sports. Horizon seems likely.

Texas State is banking on PAC or American invite, which is likely now.

Also FCS football adds probably won’t be until 2026, because they cannot compete for a FCS championship once you declare you’re going to FBS.

 

[RebelSoldat]

I'm not even sure if we can get NDSU if the rumors about the SEC and Big 10 not wanting to add any FCS schools are true

 

[RebelScrub]

No offense, this looks like dog shit on paper.

Road trips to WYo and north f’n Dakota

 

[utestream]

I'm not even sure if we can get NDSU if the rumors about the SEC and Big 10 not wanting to add any FCS schools are true

In my not so humble opinion, the SEC and Big 10 do not have the power or influence to prevent UC Davis from moving their football to the next level.

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

The problem is they bring nothing to the market in regards to eyeballs on the screen!

Same weekend.

NDSU VS South Dakota State ESPN2 175K Views.
Hawaii VS WSU 258K CW
UNM VS USU 34K TRU TV
North Texas vs Memphis 34K ESPNU
UTSA VS Memphis 147k ESPN2 (This was a week or two later)

NDSU is in a small market but they own that market.

Their FCS playoff game last year pulled over 1mil views.

Montana/Dakota markets are small but untapped by other FBS conferences. Add all four even football there is value.

 

[RebelSoldat]

In my not so humble opinion, the SEC and Big 10 do not have the power or influence to prevent UC Davis from moving their football to the next level.

I would figure the same but I guess they wield too much power in football right now

 

[Bullmastiff 1]

I would figure the same but I guess they wield too much power in football right now

We don't want anymore FCS to FBS schools because it dilutes the product, but we 100% will schedule Mercer and The Citadel in meaningless November OOC games. We also want to further dilute the FBS by creating our own league is some serious mental gymnastics on their part.

 

[RebelinWA]

Same weekend.

NDSU VS South Dakota State ESPN2 175K Views.
Hawaii VS WSU 258K CW
UNM VS USU 34K TRU TV
North Texas vs Memphis 34K ESPNU
UTSA VS Memphis 147k ESPN2

NDSU is in a small market but they own that market.

Their FCS playoff game last year pulled over 1mil views.

Montana/Dakota markets are small but untapped by other FBS conferences. Add all four even football there is value.

Not evening counting the NDSU VS Colorado numbers, you have to respect that NDSU almost upset Colorado. Yes, that same team with the Heisman winner and end of season ranking almost got upset by a team from Fargo. That is a well oiled and well run football program. For the simplicity of wanting to watch good football, bring them up. Day 1 they'd be better than New Mexico, UTEP, and reno.

 

[Rebel1986]

In my not so humble opinion, the SEC and Big 10 do not have the power or influence to prevent UC Davis from moving their football to the next level.

Wow, the lawyers sure are going to be busy in the future!