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OT: ASun and WAC Merger

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  • OT: ASun and WAC Merger

    The remaining football members of the Atlantic Sun and WAC have agreed to align to form the foundation of a 10-member football-only conference, sources told ESPN, with the intention of becoming the 11th FBS conference.

    Sources said the founding documents for the league state the group intends to move "from what is currently known as FCS football to what is currently known as FBS football at the earliest practicable date."

    The schools that have signed on to join the league are WAC football members Stephen F. Austin, Abilene Christian, Utah Tech, Southern Utah and Tarleton State and Atlantic Sun football members Austin Peay, Eastern Kentucky, Central Arkansas and North Alabama.

    UT Rio Grande Valley football starts in 2025.

  • #2
    Looks like the ASUN has too much pride to admit their attempt failed. At this point it would make more sense for the ASUN teams to swallow their pride and jump in with the OVC/Big South football merger instead of being in a FCS conference that spans from Kentucky to Utah.

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    • #3
      I grew up a WAC fan and my alma mater (San Jose State) was once a member, so I look forward to seeing that conference move up to FBS. Just like old times, but with new teams. ;)

      Comment


      • #4
        Originally posted by LegalRam View Post
        Looks like the ASUN has too much pride to admit their attempt failed. At this point it would make more sense for the ASUN teams to swallow their pride and jump in with the OVC/Big South football merger instead of being in a FCS conference that spans from Kentucky to Utah.
        This isn’t about FCS, though. That’s why there’s no interest in the OVC/Big South deal.
        Go GSC and Roar LIONS!!

        Comment


        • #5
          Actually think this is not a bad idea even though the travel is going to be kind of a pain if they schedule it right it won't be too bad. The key here is to go to FBS. As an FCS School they can only get half a million at most to go play an FBS School. FBS schools are getting less and less games to schedule for paycheck /homecoming games. If they're registered as an FBS conference then they're looking at 3/4 to a million dollars a game and the 10 game conference means they'll have nine conference games plus three non-cons but they can play three or two paycheck games and count as an FBS game and so they'll be able to make more money. The good old system from 20 years ago of how the money trickled down from the big boys is gone. Big boys played the little boys; little boys played FCS; FCS play D2; and D2 played D3 or naia and everybody got guarantees and the money slowly trickled down. The players trickle down because of not being able to transfer horizontally. But now the players D1 just transfer horizontally from school to school and nothing is trickling down. There's no money to be fcs. Because the playoffs are dominated by Big sky Missouri valley and CAA or socon schools. So why stay at that level when you can go fbs get big paychecks and an occasional bowl payout. The Sun belt has outplayed its role you have to be very careful to schedule them especially those East division teams. So now all you have left is the mac and conference USA. So there is a place for a third fbs conf to schedule. And with no conference championship minimum numbers they don't have to have a nine game schedule they can play an eight game schedule and play a conference championship game whatever their options may be.

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          • #6
            That whole league is nothing but homecoming games and season openers.

            Comment


            • #7
              Originally posted by UNALions View Post

              This isn’t about FCS, though. That’s why there’s no interest in the OVC/Big South deal.
              I know they are saying that it's about trying to get to FBS, but do they honestly think this can happen soon? It sounds like they want to make a football only FBS conference, which the NCAA does appear to currently allow. If a football only conference isn't allowed then that means either the WAC or ASUN will have to be the official conference to sponsor the sport. Will pride get in the way about which conference is the official sponsor? Or will the ASUN and WAC just do a merger and become the poor man's Conference USA.

              At the end of the day it doesn't seem likely that these ten schools will collectively be able to move up to FBS anytime soon, unless the Power 5 splits off and FBS gets reconfigured. For traveling purposes it seems like the ASUN members would be better suited to play in the OVC/BigSouth while the respective ASUN schools get their houses in order to make the move up. We know the Conference USA would be waiting with open arms for any current ASUN member to move up when ready.

              Comment


              • #8
                Originally posted by LegalRam View Post

                I know they are saying that it's about trying to get to FBS, but do they honestly think this can happen soon? It sounds like they want to make a football only FBS conference, which the NCAA does appear to currently allow. If a football only conference isn't allowed then that means either the WAC or ASUN will have to be the official conference to sponsor the sport. Will pride get in the way about which conference is the official sponsor? Or will the ASUN and WAC just do a merger and become the poor man's Conference USA.

                At the end of the day it doesn't seem likely that these ten schools will collectively be able to move up to FBS anytime soon, unless the Power 5 splits off and FBS gets reconfigured. For traveling purposes it seems like the ASUN members would be better suited to play in the OVC/BigSouth while the respective ASUN schools get their houses in order to make the move up. We know the Conference USA would be waiting with open arms for any current ASUN member to move up when ready.
                I’ve been skeptical but I do think those in charge feel this is happening. The new WAC Commissioner and the new UNA AD have both worked at the NCAA National Office in Indianapolis. I’m sure they’ve thoroughly vetted this with them. EKU’s AD clarified in an interview last week that league officials had been in Indy discussing this plan with the NCAA.

                It’s my understanding that if the single-sport conference isn’t allowed by the NCAA (which doesn’t seem to be the case so far) that the four ASUN football schools would wind up in the WAC.

                I also hear these schools have already or will soon sign a GOR for the group and have a buy-out fee. That could throw a wrench into any plans that CUSA may have for using it as an easy feeder league to pull from.

                For UNA, it’s all too fast IMO. We literally just got through the four-year transition and are finally official members of D1 and FCS this season. It’s crazy to think we may transition now to FBS in the next few years (two year process). But I don’t make the decisions. That would mean UNA went from D2 to FBS in less than a decade.

                But, per usual, it’s all the about the money. These schools see that there’s no money to be make in anything other than FBS.

                To your point, if it doesn’t work out, I could see UNA landing in the Southland before the OVC/Big South Alliance. The OVC burned a bridge with UNA a decade ago when they teased an invite and went with Belmont instead. They’ve already left the league now. Lol.
                Go GSC and Roar LIONS!!

                Comment


                • #9
                  Originally posted by the Northeasterner View Post
                  Actually think this is not a bad idea even though the travel is going to be kind of a pain if they schedule it right it won't be too bad. The key here is to go to FBS. As an FCS School they can only get half a million at most to go play an FBS School. FBS schools are getting less and less games to schedule for paycheck /homecoming games. If they're registered as an FBS conference then they're looking at 3/4 to a million dollars a game and the 10 game conference means they'll have nine conference games plus three non-cons but they can play three or two paycheck games and count as an FBS game and so they'll be able to make more money. The good old system from 20 years ago of how the money trickled down from the big boys is gone. Big boys played the little boys; little boys played FCS; FCS play D2; and D2 played D3 or naia and everybody got guarantees and the money slowly trickled down. The players trickle down because of not being able to transfer horizontally. But now the players D1 just transfer horizontally from school to school and nothing is trickling down. There's no money to be fcs. Because the playoffs are dominated by Big sky Missouri valley and CAA or socon schools. So why stay at that level when you can go fbs get big paychecks and an occasional bowl payout. The Sun belt has outplayed its role you have to be very careful to schedule them especially those East division teams. So now all you have left is the mac and conference USA. So there is a place for a third fbs conf to schedule. And with no conference championship minimum numbers they don't have to have a nine game schedule they can play an eight game schedule and play a conference championship game whatever their options may be.
                  It’s almost like you’ve been in on the meetings. You definitely “get it” as far as the money and changing landscape of transfers, etc.
                  Go GSC and Roar LIONS!!

                  Comment

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