SMU to the ACC/PAC-12 discussions

[HoustonWave]

A brutally honest article from CBS about the most recent realignment. We've been culled and put in the group of schools that "don't matter".

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/other/ ... 42f6b&ei=7

It was made quite clear we have no where to go. Mr. Slatten was on here yesterday sounding like he was lost and somewhat defeated about the future. No one is interested in Tulane being in the upper echelon of college football. Our history has finally caught up with us. And how bad can you feel for Coach Fritz. I would advise him to move on to get his shot before he retires. The game today has little appeal. Same for games against Rice, UNT, UAB, Charlotte, Tulsa, etc. So little to get excited about.

The past is not the present and the present is not the future. We've seen numerous news stories in the past several months that had no basis in fact and turned out to be nonsensical click bait. Most fit that category.

That's all true engineer, but this CBS article just highlights what has happened, not what might happen as much of the recent click bait has. And all the click bait articles don't change the fact that we have a miserable conference schedule--which is both the present and the foreseeable future.

[anEngineer]

That's all true engineer, but this CBS article just highlights what has happened, not what might happen as much of the recent click bait has. And all the click bait articles don't change the fact that we have a miserable conference schedule--which is both the present and the foreseeable future.

The thing is, what does "foreseeable future" mean in the current environment? Very little is factually foreseeable. Will we play this schedule this year? Yes. Will we play it next year? Probably. Will we play it in 2025? No one, and I do mean no one, knows. We are in a better position than we have ever been and in the top 5 G5s, maybe top 2-3.

[HoustonWave]

That's all true engineer, but this CBS article just highlights what has happened, not what might happen as much of the recent click bait has. And all the click bait articles don't change the fact that we have a miserable conference schedule--which is both the present and the foreseeable future.

The thing is, what does "foreseeable future" mean in the current environment? Very little is factually foreseeable. Will we play this schedule this year? Yes. Will we play it next year? Probably. Will we play it in 2025? No one, and I do mean no one, knows. We are in a better position than we have ever been and in the top 5 G5s, maybe top 2-3.

My use of "foreseeable future" is simply where we are now, the CUSAAC. Not only might that change, I desperately hope it changes. I absolutely believe we have a top 1 or 2 G5 team. But I'm not as confident that we have a top 1 or 2 G5 school/administration/facilities/etc. And it's already obvious that who wins on the field has little to do with who gets invited into The Club.

[anEngineer]

As mentioned before, the problem is space, not commitment. They need to figure that out and some sort of auxiliary athletics complex would appear to be the only option. The odd move was telling the city that Tulane would take responsibility for maintaining streets on the Calhoun side of campus. A move in that direction would be cheaper than the other way. The commitment is the key, and we have that.

[HoustonWave]

As mentioned before, the problem is space, not commitment. They need to figure that out and some sort of auxiliary athletics complex would appear to be the only option. The odd move was telling the city that Tulane would take responsibility for maintaining streets on the Calhoun side of campus. A move in that direction would be cheaper than the other way. The commitment is the key, and we have that.

We definitely need an auxiliary athletics complex where we could park baseball, tennis, and other non-revenue sports. Then between Claiborne and Yulman line up a garage, arena, IPF and Ops Center.

[winwave]

As mentioned before, the problem is space, not commitment. They need to figure that out and some sort of auxiliary athletics complex would appear to be the only option. The odd move was telling the city that Tulane would take responsibility for maintaining streets on the Calhoun side of campus. A move in that direction would be cheaper than the other way. The commitment is the key, and we have that.

That street issue has been discussed. It had nothing to do with athletics. Somebody can dig up that thread.

[Jaxwave]

Guys Ore St just committed to making $161 million improvement and has been caught with their pants down. The Tulane admin has to make a huge decision. Can they afford to commit millions with just the HOPE that eventually we will be invited to the big boys’ table. Chicken and egg. We know it ain’t happening without improvements but at some point we may spend all that money and have it end up being a waste, kinda like Turchin.
I’ll make it simpler, if you were a bank would you lend Tulane the money for improvements at this time?

[winwave]

You absolutely make the commitment. The ultimate goal is to move up. Even if that never happens we want to remain the best of the G5 and we need better facilities. We don't want to fall back to what we were.

[greenie78]

Guys Ore St just committed to making $161 million improvement and has been caught with their pants down. The Tulane admin has to make a huge decision. Can they afford to commit millions with just the HOPE that eventually we will be invited to the big boys’ table. Chicken and egg. We know it ain’t happening without improvements but at some point we may spend all that money and have it end up being a waste, kinda like Turchin.
I’ll make it simpler, if you were a bank would you lend Tulane the money for improvements at this time?

Yes because realignment is very fluid and Tulane has the potential to move up with many positive factors. With the right commitment, this school can easily be in a better conference. Need to keep winning and investing. The best of the AAC always gets plucked when way or another. It's Memphis and Tulane's turn next. We're currently the best G5 team in the country.

[Greeniegb]

As mentioned before, the problem is space, not commitment. They need to figure that out and some sort of auxiliary athletics complex would appear to be the only option. The odd move was telling the city that Tulane would take responsibility for maintaining streets on the Calhoun side of campus. A move in that direction would be cheaper than the other way. The commitment is the key, and we have that.

We definitely need an auxiliary athletics complex where we could park baseball, tennis, and other non-revenue sports. Then between Claiborne and Yulman line up a garage, arena, IPF and Ops Center.

Dream on not happening, still think underground parking like the Rivergate with IPF on top low weight bearing!!! Pittsburg has underground parking with park on top.

If down plenty land by the fly, can the University purchase some for a complex.

[tpstulane]

Besides football, ACC basketball takes a hit adding those three (ACC basketball ranked below the MWC)
https://theathletic.com/4806176/2023/09 ... ed_article

KenPom rated the ACC as the fourth-, fifth-, fifth-, and seventh-best league over the last four seasons, respectively; last season was a true bottoming out, when the ACC ranked behind the Mountain West in both KenPom and the NET.

[HoustonWave]

Guys Ore St just committed to making $161 million improvement and has been caught with their pants down. The Tulane admin has to make a huge decision. Can they afford to commit millions with just the HOPE that eventually we will be invited to the big boys’ table. Chicken and egg. We know it ain’t happening without improvements but at some point we may spend all that money and have it end up being a waste, kinda like Turchin.
I’ll make it simpler, if you were a bank would you lend Tulane the money for improvements at this time?

Yes because realignment is very fluid and Tulane has the potential to move up with many positive factors. With the right commitment, this school can easily be in a better conference. Need to keep winning and investing. The best of the AAC always gets plucked when way or another. It's Memphis and Tulane's turn next. We're currently the best G5 team in the country.

Except when the ACC Golddiggers go for the money and takes a G5 that hasn't won a conference or major bowl in 40 years.

[golfnut69]

We a PEE, but some don't give a shit
https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... turn-glory

[HoustonWave]

We a PEE, but some don't give a shit
https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... turn-glory

Two things struck me from that interesting article. One, the comment that SMU was already doing things like a P5 school, and secondly, it isn't just the AD and president that lobbied for them, but their BOT also got directly involved with their peers at the ACC schools. Truly a full court press--and it still took the forfeiture of base media revenue for nine years.

[golfnut69]

We a PEE, but some don't give a shit
https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... turn-glory

Two things struck me from that interesting article. One, the comment that SMU was already doing things like a P5 school, and secondly, it isn't just the AD and president that lobbied for them, but their BOT also got directly involved with their peers at the ACC schools. Truly a full court press--and it still took the forfeiture of base media revenue for nine years.

SMU got from the ACC $$, exactly what they are worth. They will not be carrying the Dallas TV market, it is owned by Texas, OU, A&M, LSU, TCU, Baylor and Tx Tech...after those slices are taken, only crumbs are left

[Wave755]

We a PEE, but some don't give a shit
https://www.espn.com/college-football/s ... turn-glory

Two things struck me from that interesting article. One, the comment that SMU was already doing things like a P5 school, and secondly, it isn't just the AD and president that lobbied for them, but their BOT also got directly involved with their peers at the ACC schools. Truly a full court press--and it still took the forfeiture of base media revenue for nine years.

It appears SMU's first offer to the ACC was no media revenue for the first 5 years, then the first 7 years & then the first 9 years. Kind of like the old days at K-Mart when they ran "Blue Light Specials"!

[NOLABigSteve]

https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-smus-pu ... 39541.html

[Show Me]

https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-smus-pu ... 39541.html

Impressive to say the least. That AD got it done. They put together a plan awhile ago to get into a P5 before 2025. They way they bought themselves in now makes it nearly impossible for us to get into the club. Funny thing is they still won’t be a factor on the field. All that money won’t buy then championships but it did get them a seat at the adult table.

[tpstulane]

SMU offers to pay Duke’s fines for rushing the field

[HoustonWave]

https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-smus-pu ... 39541.html

Impressive to say the least. That AD got it done. They put together a plan awhile ago to get into a P5 before 2025. They way they bought themselves in now makes it nearly impossible for us to get into the club. Funny thing is they still won’t be a factor on the field. All that money won’t buy then championships but it did get them a seat at the adult table.

A fascinating story. They didn't just buy themselves into the ACC, they plotted and worked hard to set the table for such an opportunity. Can anybody really envision Tulane leadership putting forth the same effort with no outcome guaranteed? It's also interesting to know that the no media money for seven to nine years was also part of their PAC 12 effort. Like it or not, they have set a precedent for how any other G5 will have to work to get into "the club". Sadly, it is very hard to imagine how Tulane will crack the code to relevance, and not just because of a lack of money. Lastly, I suspect SMU will fair quite well competing against ACC teams. They are in fertile recruiting grounds, will be writing big NIL checks, and are now a P5 school--they will do just fine on the field. I'm sure those 12 mega-donors will make sure they do.

[Aberzombie1892]

The challenge with all this is that SMU is more valuable to the ACC than Tulane is (i.e. Dallas, Texas), so the seemingly common assumption in this thread that if Tulane made the same offer as SMU (and has the same facilities as SMU) it would be met with the same acceptance by the ACC may not actually be reflective of reality. Given that the ACC has stopped at an odd number, it seems fairly clear that they aren't looking to expand unless they perceive value (i.e. more than just giving up media payouts) independently from what a program may or may not be willing to give up.

[tpstulane]

The challenge with all this is that SMU is more valuable to the ACC than Tulane is (i.e. Dallas, Texas), so the seemingly common assumption in this thread that if Tulane made the same offer as SMU (and has the same facilities as SMU) it would be met with the same acceptance by the ACC may not actually be reflective of reality. Given that the ACC has stopped at an odd number, it seems fairly clear that they aren't looking to expand unless they perceive value (i.e. more than just giving up media payouts) independently from what a program may or may not be willing to give up.

Yes. Unfortunately we have little to offer at this point. Perhaps winning will open a few doors. But facilities and TV market is not going to be our strong selling point.

[HoustonWave]

The challenge with all this is that SMU is more valuable to the ACC than Tulane is (i.e. Dallas, Texas), so the seemingly common assumption in this thread that if Tulane made the same offer as SMU (and has the same facilities as SMU) it would be met with the same acceptance by the ACC may not actually be reflective of reality. Given that the ACC has stopped at an odd number, it seems fairly clear that they aren't looking to expand unless they perceive value (i.e. more than just giving up media payouts) independently from what a program may or may not be willing to give up.

And that "SMU value" was repeatedly defined and explained to ACC reps and officials by their President, AD and Chairman of their BOT, for over a year, in literally dozens of one-on-few meetings. But even then, as the SMU Chairman explained to the 12 mega-donors, "it all comes down to the money". So the task at hand for Tulane or any other G5, is you have to build on personal relationships within the conference you are targeting and lobby your head off--explaining why adding a Tulane would be beneficial, and if all that actually succeeds, you have to be ready to take a financial groin shot to still get the votes you need. Sadly, I have little confidence that Tulane leadership would ever approach the effort that SMU leaders have put forth over the past year. SMU wasn't just transparent about their efforts so as to publicly beat their chest-- it was because it would be impossible to do what they did in a "cone of silence".

[anEngineer]

While many here feel differently, I feel confident that Troy Dannen and President Fitts have been engaged with potential conferences and fully understand what its going to take.

[Greeniegb]

The challenge with all this is that SMU is more valuable to the ACC than Tulane is (i.e. Dallas, Texas), so the seemingly common assumption in this thread that if Tulane made the same offer as SMU (and has the same facilities as SMU) it would be met with the same acceptance by the ACC may not actually be reflective of reality. Given that the ACC has stopped at an odd number, it seems fairly clear that they aren't looking to expand unless they perceive value (i.e. more than just giving up media payouts) independently from what a program may or may not be willing to give up.

And that "SMU value" was repeatedly defined and explained to ACC reps and officials by their President, AD and Chairman of their BOT, for over a year, in literally dozens of one-on-few meetings. But even then, as the SMU Chairman explained to the 12 mega-donors, "it all comes down to the money". So the task at hand for Tulane or any other G5, is you have to build on personal relationships within the conference you are targeting and lobby your head off--explaining why adding a Tulane would be beneficial, and if all that actual succeeds, you have to be ready to take a financial groin shot to still get the votes you need. Sadly, I have little confidence that Tulane leadership would every approach the effort that SMU leaders have put forth over the past year. SMU wasn't just transparent about their efforts so as to publicly beat their chest-- it was because it would be impossible to do what they did in a "cone of silence".

We are not stupid like SMU, the millions they are giving to other schools is fools gold. Prostituting is not what Tulane is about. After the death penalty it showed what extent SMU would go to, when all is said and done lets see if SMU comes out clean or if they had some illegal things going on once again. It will come back to burn all three schools in the end watch we will have the last laugh.

Same thing with Colorado and Sanders that is not Tulane or Willie kicking players off the team in some cases without a phone call. Sanders left the majority of the student athletes from Colorado last year to fend for themselves prostituting for a Power 5 Conference. He kicked these student athletes coldly under the bus, Tulane has respect and will continue treating its student athletes with respect and caring. I hope to believe Tulane's way will win in the long term even thought it will take longer. I would have big problems being an SMU or Colorado fan after the way they got where they are. I have been a Tulane fan since the 60's and remain proud of our Greenies, yes they have made mistakes but advancement without pride and respect is no advancement at all, keep winning the right way greenies and Coach Fritz.