They know that they are wanted by The PAC. So they can take their time exiting The MWC. Let somebody else fill out The PAC roster while UNLV collects poaching fees in The MWC.

The late addition of Gonzaga suggests that Fox is driving this rebuild. Fox tried to get Gonzaga into The Big XII because Fox has a bulky package of B-XII hoops content. Yormark preferred to go East. The PAC wanted to poach The AAC, which would add more TV value to New PAC than just using MWC talent. It would also devalue ESPN's AAC contract which runs until 2032. This would be consistent with Fox's motives. So, ESPN likely coaxed The AAC schools to remain where they are. If I'm right that Fox is directing The PAC, there must be a "fuzzy" media figure in the air, varying as the new conference is fleshed-out. The PAC will want at least nine FB schools in order to play eight conference games. They will reach a point where the poaching fees will be so high that absorbing the entire MWC for $0 might make sense. But will the media partner agree? ** Edited by 33laszlo99 at 9/24/2024, 11:25:13 AM ** Edited by 33laszlo99 at 9/24/2024, 11:37:23 AM

That would be the eight they need at a minimum to collect the PAC-12 money and become viable in the short term. Texas State would probably pay their own exit to get into the PAC. Not much TV money in the Sunbelt. I think UNLV will come to the PAC, too, given Utah State's defection. That would require another exit payment to the MWC, but the resulting nine-team group would be very respectable.

only an hour from both Austin and San Antonio, on campus stadium, and they are in the Sun Belt so would probably easily make the jump. But I have no clue about their academics or other sports. I'm just going off of the surface level data.

If the agreement survives the lawsuit, The MWC is due $55 mil Poaching Fee and $83 mil Exit Fees. If UNLV or other MWC school is added, it becomes $67.5 mil Poaching Fees and $99.6 mil Exit Fees. 5 schools: $138 mil Total 6 schools: $ 167.1 mil Total The MWC can slow-play the lawsuit. They Have their roster of schools, media deal, and schedule all in-place for the 2025-'26 season. The PAC has none of these.

Going to the pac-12. Yesterday Utah State accepted an offer to go to the pac-12. Unlv was apparently offered and turned down the pac-12, choosing to stay in the mountain West. Part of that agreement was that all eight teams stay together in the mountain West. UNLV and Air Force were offered a payment to stay in the mountain West. But then Utah State left for the pac-12, breaking up those eight teams. Now UNLV has announced they are reconsidering whether to stay or leave for the pac-12. They say their agreement to stay in the mountain West was broken when Utah State left. There are also apparently discussions with Gonzaga as a non-football school going to the pac-12. Apparently other teams have been considered, possibly even offered, but all of those are either rumors, or rejected the offer. ** Edited by wwhokie1 at 9/24/2024, 11:15:41 AM

mind, then so can the top AAC schools. All it would take is a call from FOX to up the ante, and we have a different landscape. i don't think the AAC is out of the woods, anymore then it appeared the MW would stay together.

Trying to summarize the current standings as requested by the original post. If UNLV does decide to leave for the pac-12 finally, I would not be surprised for Air Force to reconsider as well their commitment to mountain West. But once again, that's just a possible future happenings, not where things stand now. ** Edited by wwhokie1 at 9/24/2024, 11:34:59 AM

they need 4 MORE from the MWC. They need 9 votes to dissolve and currently have 5 of them. No poaching penalties, no exit fees. The downside is the zombie Pac would only be modestly better than the old MWC and current AAC. It looks like they are going to have to take at least one more from the MWC anyway unless NMSU or UTEP from Cusa shows a bit of leg. There's always the possibility UConn moves for football, but I wouldn't bet on it.

Just a rumor at this point but may be something to watch for. It would give the PAC a chance for eastern time slot for games. Huskies would stay in the Big East for everything else and Gonzaga would also join PAC for everything except football. We shall see.

an East Coast and Mid Atlantic presence. JMU, East Carolina, ODU, Marshall, Coastal, FAU, and many others could be in the mix. Doesn't make sense to me, but I think there is going to be a major shift of the G5, trying to position themselves just in case the ACC falters.

So no conference fees or GOR to worry about. And the football travel would only be a few times a year to go the extra distance. It's the cheapest and easiest way for the PAC to get to their magic number. Then they would have time to make more long term strategic plans without have to rush invites. But who knows at this point. It certainly has been an interesting week already.

The PAC can kick them out whenever they get someone better. LOL.

for basketball scheduling with the PAC could be interesting with Gonzaga in the picture. Non of the other conferences, including the MAC, are offering UConn a football only membership, so, it could work. I read a report that the PAC didn't offer much to the AAC schools to depart. Money talks, and as we know, things remain pretty fluid no matter what the conference or AD's say. ** Edited by Big12 guy at 9/24/2024, 1:23:36 PM

you aren't getting WBB or MBB, just football. UCONN football. I'd rather have App St. or even Troy than UCONN football.

That was football only, but it included some agreement to play four basketball games (men and women I think) against MAC opponents. UConn could probably do that. Two games out west for BB is not bad, and four for football is OK, too. The MAC eventually gave UMass an ultimatum to join for all sports, or get kicked out. UMass opted to leave (only to finally join in full recently). IMO, this arrangement would be fine, if coupled with a "reevaluation" after 10 years or so where either party could opt out. It gives UConn a decent home for football, and it gives the PAC a respectable eighth member right now (but would a football only member count for that?). ** Edited by Truthahn at 9/25/2024, 11:44:43 AM

and a nice compliment to Gonzaga basketball only. Both sports would have the required 8 teams.

Except I think Utah State has agreed to join the PAC as well. My version of that conversation: Utah State: Can we join, can we join, can we join? PAC: Uh, hang on a minute. We need to call a few other schools first. Utah State: Can we join, can we join, can we join? PAC: Umm, hold onto that thought. Gotta call our buddies in Memphis first. Utah State: Can we join, can we join, can we join? PAC: Can we circle back to that later? We have a skype with Tulane scheduled right now. Utah State: Can we join, can we join, can we join? PAC: Uh, hold on. In a convo with USF right now. Utah State: Can we join, can we join, can we join? PAC: Possibly, but we are kind of busy with this UNLV thread at the moment. We'll talk next week. Spongebob meme: Many Days Later PAC: Soooo, Utah State! Buddies! You wouldn't be interested in joining us, would you? Utah State: Done! No backsies! We're tweeting it right now! Woot, we're in everyone!

They want to be the first to post, so there's no due diligence to make sure it's legit.