UMass to the MAC

[UDJoe]

UMass accepting an invitation to join the MAC for 25-26. All sports.

[jmu2004]

UMass and JMU were in the final stages of a package deal to the MAC about 10 years ago. JMU had even printed up literature/talking points for the move, but UMass apparently had a change of heart.

Wonder who #14 will in the MAC will be. I always thought UD/UMass might end up in the same FBS conference, but clearly that won't happen anytime soon now.

[Info Hound]

That's fine. They can have the November weeknights.

[jd of de]

UMass to the MAC makes sense geography for sure. Good luck to our old conference foes.

The Minutemen not having to fill a 12 game schedule as an independent will free up other eastern seaboard schools to consider home-home contracts with the Hens.

[topstraight]

EVERYBODY in CUSA wanting to know....

IS UD Solidly committed to CUSA or will you pay a big penalty$$ and "flip" to the MAC??

MAC will NOT stay at thirteen!

Hope you stay with CUSA--better FB and BB.

[Steve1981]

UMass to the MAC makes sense geography for sure. Good luck to our old conference foes.

The Minutemen not having to fill a 12 game schedule as an independent will free up other eastern seaboard schools to consider home-home contracts with the Hens.

Sounds good but will take time as we clear our indy schedule.

[Bluewyn Gold]

The Minutemen not having to fill a 12 game schedule as an independent will free up other eastern seaboard schools to consider home-home contracts with the Hens.

Very good point, sir.

Not shocked UMass is moving back to the MAC but with all sports this time. Travel would be much the same in CUSA: a lot of flights either way.

The Toledo paper indicates there's mutual interest between Western Kentucky and the MAC. That would not be good news for Delaware. https://www.toledoblade.com/sports/col ... 240226098

[finpxz1]

Pretty sure CUSA is a temporary stop on our way to something better. Can't see us being her in 7 to 10 years...

[mainejeff]

Wow...this pretty much cements UD as a complete geographical outlier in CUSA....welcome to the club!

[Bluewyn Gold]

Almost every school in CUSA is a geographical outlier in some form or another, as is UMass in the MAC. For many FBS schools that's the case, where conferences spread time zones and even coasts. It's sometimes true of FCS and even lower level conferences, especially those out West. It's just the cost of doing business.

What will not be similar at all between UD and schools FCS outliers like Maine Orono is the amount of revenue available at the higher level. On the good side for the Bears, at least the school will get a decent payday for the next trip down to Newark.

[mainejeff]

Almost every school in CUSA is a geographical outlier in some form or another, as is UMass in the MAC. For many FBS schools that's the case, where conferences spread time zones and even coasts. It's sometimes true of FCS and even lower level conferences, especially those out West. It's just the cost of doing business.

What will not be similar at all between UD and schools FCS outliers like Maine Orono is the amount of revenue available at the higher level. On the good side for the Bears, at least the school will get a decent payday for the next trip down to Newark.

No....we had way more than our fair share of games in Newark (think UD games in Kingston ). Good luck in CUSA!

[Bluewyn Gold]

No....we had way more than our fair share of games in Newark (think UD games in Kingston ). Good luck in CUSA!

Ha. Thanks. Looking forward to seeing CUSA teams. It'll be a steep challenge.

No doubt Maine will be able to land FBS deals way more lucrative than what UD will be able to afford. The Bears have to fly to almost every FBS destination, so why not get paid to do it?

Cheers,

[mpwerrell]

CUSA teams signed a grant of rights agreement through 2027. Leaving early means a $800,000 payment per year.
If W. Kentucky leaves to join the MAC in 2025 that’s a $2.4 million payment. Not earth shattering but something for the institution to ponder.

[Bluewyn Gold]

CUSA teams signed a grant of rights agreement through 2027. Leaving early means a $800,000 payment per year.
If W. Kentucky leaves to join the MAC in 2025 that’s a $2.4 million payment. Not earth shattering but something for the institution to ponder.

For sure, but $2.4M won't likely stop WKU from departing if they think the move will pay off in the long run.
https://www.si.com/college/group-five/m ... ment-umass

https://www.hustlebelt.com/2024/2/27/24 ... nment-2024

[jd of de]

CUSA teams signed a grant of rights agreement through 2027. Leaving early means a $800,000 payment per year.
If W. Kentucky leaves to join the MAC in 2025 that’s a $2.4 million payment. Not earth shattering but something for the institution to ponder.

On top of the standard $3.0m exit fee.