OT: Pac12 grabs 4 MW teams

[4th&long]

Utah State in the PAC 12 Seven members now One more



 

>> Brett McMurphy@Brett_McMurphyAir Force & UNLV expected to remain in Mountain West, sources told@ActionNetworkHQ. The 2 schools are each expected to receive a signing bonus b/w $25-$30 million - 5 times their media rights value - from the pending exit fees the MW will receive, source said. MW still needs 1 more school to reach FBS minimum of 8 members by 202611:28 PM · Sep 25, 2024 <<·

More:
https://www.reviewjournal.com/sports/un ... t-3177233/

I get that AF is more interested in staying west coast and UNLV is $20 million in debt, and they are both getting a big pay day but MW over new Pac-12?  UNLV is way over valuing itself.

Even before any jumped, I figured Pac-12 would somehow poach 6 teams - Though I was thinking Fresno, SDSt, CSt, UNLV and NM (because Albuquerque good size mkt in a state w/o pro sports) with either UTSA or TxSt.  Getting Boise St was a big gainer over UNLV and USt better progran than NM.   I was still hoping to get LV but losing their QB and NIL concerns along with debt, pehaps NM.    Texas St would be cheap if they accept and they very much should. Perhaps NTx is open to jumping the AAC. Worst case they look at UTEP or NMSt out of Conf USA,    They likely should have asked AF from the start.

Or does this force a reverse merger - purger - Take 8/9 MW teams dropping the rest with a payout.  The future MW is dropping from the #1 or 2 G5 conference to 5/6 out of G6.

[4th&long]

My thoughts on this are that Gloria N while seemingly "saving" the MW is really hurting 2-3 teams in MW from joining Pac12.

Pac12 never wanted the bottom feeders of the MW, they dilute brand value and they arent adding $ to the media rights deal.  In fact on a per team basis, they are reducing it by spreading the funds over more teams.

The two leagues should have negotiated the death of the MW or at least exit of the top 7-8 teams to Pac12, while ensuring a one time "end it" fee to those NOT going to Pac12.   So instead of an exit fee it would be a "thanks for playing along" and going bye bye fee.

Instead GN, saving her job, by coming out with a much weaker MW that needs 2 teams to stay alive that in the end will get a much smaller per team TV rights deal than currently. 

MW is giving lions share of money from Pac (exit and poaching fees) to UNLV and AF to make them stay.  much less to the other 4 full members and even less to Hawaii. 

Seems to me UNLV and AF to Pac would have been simplier and have been better for everyone.  Instead GN is going to keep limping with MW.

And the Pac lawsuit wiill drag out payments and likely reduce them.