G5 realignment, playoffs

[chito_and_leon]

I mean, has private equity ever done anything but improve things?

This idea sounds pretty interesting, I have to say. I get the "we don't want to label ourselves as second tier" but G5 conferences are second tier and will only become more so as money becomes even more unevenly distributed. I'm honestly not interested in watching teams with $5m NIL players, that's just pro ball. I'd like a real college football system again.

"The idea of G5 reorganization or the creation of a G5 football-only Super League consisting of the top handful of programs was informally discussed among some administrators when the current wave of conference realignment kicked off in 2021. Former Big Ten commissioner Jim Delany presented to leagues an idea of the three G5 leagues with southeastern footprints (AAC, CUSA, Sun Belt) reorganizing geographically. A few weeks later, the AAC added six schools from CUSA. The AAC earns millions more per school than other G5 leagues."

School leaders discussing G5-only playoff, broad realignment as future options

Administrators made clear nothing is imminent and they haven’t been presented with numbers yet. But conversations are more real than ever.

theathletic.com

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Instead of them forming their own league, let's form our own league. How is that any different. Yeah, we should do exactly what they've been wanting us to do, and never compete with any of them again. Become 2nd tier, which essentially makes us no better than 3rd tier. D2 and D3 are synonymous. This isn't improving things, it is giving in to what they have always wanted, us on the outside, and them eliminating us from sharing ANY of their money. It's going in this direction anyway, but we should never see it as a good solution to accept what is probably going to happen eventually. Just because we are trying to dress the wolf in sheeps clothing doesn't suddenly make it good.

 

[chito_and_leon]

Instead of them forming their own league, let's form our own league. How is that any different. Yeah, we should do exactly what they've been wanting us to do, and never compete with any of them again. Become 2nd tier, which essentially makes us no better than 3rd tier. D2 and D3 are synonymous. This isn't improving things, it is giving in to what they have always wanted, us on the outside, and them eliminating us from sharing ANY of their money. It's going in this direction anyway, but we should never see it as a good solution to accept what is probably going to happen eventually. Just because we are trying to dress the wolf in sheeps clothing doesn't suddenly make it good.

It's not what anyone would want but sometimes you have to live in the world you have, not the world you dream of having. If they wanted us on the outside, they'd just do it. They want to be able to play G5 teams to fill out their schedules, pad their records, have cheap games, etc. It's the same reason the NFL keeps the Jets and Commanders

The system the P2/3/4 prefers is the one they're building, with them "financing" with tiny rev shares a set of lower league teams (the G5) to do player development and offer scheduling benefits. That's what the people in the article are reacting to, do you want to be what the P2/3/4 wants, constantly saying "thank you sir, may I have another" for any scraps they throw, or do you want to have control over your destiny to the extent possible? I don't know the answer but I think it's fanciful to think we'll have a world where the G5 teams are in any meaningful way able to compete with the P2/3/4.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

Like them forming their own league would stop them from playing us, with the money they offer. That wouldn't change because they formed their own league. The only way they don't play us is if we refuse the money offered. It has to do with playoff access(money) and regular season money. That is not stopping them from forming their own league.

 

[HuffyCane]

There was talk of an alternative league with late nights on Fox and ESPN being the main draw. The idea being edgy branding and innovative rules to draw in gamblers and viewers. The Borg absorbed the West and that was the end of that. Assuming we got the invite, and we likely would have, the number being thrown around was a modest increase in our current revenue guaranteed for five years. Maybe as much as $2.5 million.

You can assume they’ve run the numbers on a stand alone G5 league and they realize it’s viable but not advantageous. Now.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

There was talk of an alternative league with late nights on Fox and ESPN being the main draw. The idea being edgy branding and innovative rules to draw in gamblers and viewers. The Borg absorbed the West and that was the end of that. Assuming we got the invite, and we likely would have, the number being thrown around was a modest increase in our current revenue guaranteed for five years. Maybe as much as $2.5 million.

You can assume they’ve run the numbers on a stand alone G5 league and they realize it’s viable but not advantageous. Now.

Yep, and that is still scraps. A little bit more scraps, but only a little.

 

[HuffyCane]

Yep, and that is still scraps. A little bit more scraps, but only a little.

$200 per alumni per season is a pretty nice payment compared to UCF, Texas and NC State.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

If they formed their own league, we would then form our own league by default. I think it is almost a matter of semantics whether we form our own leagues. It changes the playoffs and whether we are allowed in their playoffs in some menial way. It affects how the money is allocated for the playoffs, but only in a menial way. Doesn't really change much.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

$200 per alumni per season is a pretty nice payment compared to UCF, Texas and NC State.

Breaking it down per alumni doesn't change how it spends.

 

[HuffyCane]

Breaking it down per alumni doesn't change how it spends.

It’s a better way of expressing our negotiating position.

 

[HuffyCane]

If they formed their own league, we would then form our own league by default. I think it is almost a matter of semantics whether we form our own leagues. It changes the playoffs and whether we are allowed in their playoffs in some menial way. It affects how the money is allocated for the playoffs, but only in a menial way. Doesn't really change much.

Yes. In the end, that was the rub I imagine. The dozen or so teams worth starting an alternative league would rather take a lower payment in a lower league for a shot at the playoff payout than take a sustained amount of money in their own sandbox.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

It’s a better way of expressing our negotiating position.

Well I don't think that is our negotiating position. Our negotiating position is as a member of the G5 and/or our conference. 🤷‍♀️

 

[TULSARISING]

Yes. In the end, that was the rub I imagine. The dozen or so teams worth starting an alternative league would rather take a lower payment in a lower league for a shot at the playoff payout than take a sustained amount of money in their own sandbox.

I’m to the point now that I’m just going to watch and cheer for TU no matter what league they are in , piss on everyone else , especially the greedy power conferences or whatever they are called now

 

[drboobay]

I have always been a go big or go home guy.

But this is such a weird time. Not sure how I will feel about things when it sorts out.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

If we get relegated to where we don’t have the option to play at the highest level, it’ll be the beginning of the end. In fact, it might as well just be the end of it for us.

If 32 B1G/SEC teams wanna do their own the thing, fine - but if it’s a 60-70 team breakaway, we’re screwed. Whatever bs they push about how it’s “better” for the g5 is just that… bs. It will be no better than FCS… which no one outside Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota give a flying eff about.

I’m hopeful that somehow, some way, we’re able to get a seat at the table.

 

[mcane]

We have a short term lifeline
A home and home with OSU
Ark here in 2026 (?)
Those games help keep TU relevant
Outside of last years disaster here vs OU
TU has been very competitive with the top leagues
OSU Washington Ole Miss Texas

 

[drboobay]

We have a short term lifeline
A home and home with OSU
Ark here in 2026 (?)
Those games help keep TU relevant
Outside of last years disaster here vs OU
TU has been very competitive with the top leagues
OSU Washington Ole Miss Texas

But no wins in a decade. Need to find one.

 

[Gmoney4WW]

If we get relegated to where we don’t have the option to play at the highest level, it’ll be the beginning of the end. In fact, it might as well just be the end of it for us.

If 32 B1G/SEC teams wanna do their own the thing, fine - but if it’s a 60-70 team breakaway, we’re screwed. Whatever bs they push about how it’s “better” for the g5 is just that… bs. It will be no better than FCS… which no one outside Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota give a flying eff about.

I’m hopeful that somehow, some way, we’re able to get a seat at the table.

We lose all those fans that never went to college. That's a lot of fans. Our fan base for the league suddenly becomes G5 alumni at best. A lot of the G5 alumni will abandon ship for the power conferences if it splits like that though. That shrinks the eyes on the sport immensely. Vindictively, I hope they lose a lot of $ from those alumni that don't watch football any longer, if they force a split.

No matter how it sorts out, I just hope it sorts itself out enough to give TU the same visibility to prospective students as they have now. Even if I don't follow TU sports anymore. But if me, myself, and I translates to the royal I, then the golden goose just got made into crappy pate.

 

[TU 1978]

If the “big 2” conferences try this you can expect that lawmakers will get involved and it will get ugly.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

Private equity would be a disaster. The dudes would load up the leagues with debt and contracts that would give little flexibility. I hope they don't go that route.

 

[drboobay]

Talk about the antithesis of nonprofit!

 

[COWBOYintheUK]

But no wins in a decade. Need to find one.

I have told everyone of my OSU brethren that OSU better take the Tulsa game seriously this year or we will be sent home with our tail between our legs........I think Tulsa will make huge improvements this year.....Wilson is an awesome coach and the biggest improvements are usually made between the first and second years

 

[Gmoney4WW]

I have told everyone of my OSU brethren that OSU better take the Tulsa game seriously this year or we will be sent home with our tail between our legs........I think Tulsa will make huge improvements this year.....Wilson is an awesome coach and the biggest improvements are usually made between the first and second years

We've got some problems right now though. We need to pick up 2 or 3 OL and 1 or 2 DT minimum, this offseason. If we can make some decent pick ups there we will probably be much improved.

 

[texcane1982]

If we get relegated to where we don’t have the option to play at the highest level, it’ll be the beginning of the end. In fact, it might as well just be the end of it for us.

If 32 B1G/SEC teams wanna do their own the thing, fine - but if it’s a 60-70 team breakaway, we’re screwed. Whatever bs they push about how it’s “better” for the g5 is just that… bs. It will be no better than FCS… which no one outside Montana, North Dakota, and South Dakota give a flying eff about.

I’m hopeful that somehow, some way, we’re able to get a seat at the table.

I don't believe the ACC and Big XII will ever get left behind, they won't generate the revenue of the Big10/SEC, but they will still have the same access and opportunities to compete for playoff dollars.

IMO, the horse left the barn when the NCAA lost control of college football. It seems like only Anti-Trust lawsuits can even attempt to reign the horse back in. This all got out of control when no caps were placed on expansion and revenues. The brand names simply got richer.

The current course seems to be that if G5 programs are going to compete, there may need to be some type of consolidation among the G5 Conferences, such as a EAST/WEST Super Conference. Does TU have a seat at the table in such as alignment? I assume once FSU and Clemson leave the ACC, there will be another dramatic shift among the G5 conferences again.

just my .02

TX

 

[HuffyCane]

I expect the ACC to announce in the next year it will be ceasing operations in its current form at the end of the 2026 academic year.

 

[lawpoke87]

I expect the ACC to announce in the next year it will be ceasing operations in its current form at the end of the 2026 academic year.

So we will be left with the Big10, SEC and Big12 along with the G5s?

 

[HuffyCane]

So we will be left with the Big10, SEC and Big12 along with the G5s?

Yes. Most likely. A Frankenstein ACC dangling out there like the PAC2.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

I think there are some iterations of a g5 east and g5 west (using g5 for lack of a better term) that would likely draw enough interest through brand recognition (and from gamblers) to remain at the “highest level” with the B1G, SEC, etc.

This would mainly look like some version of the MWC and the AAC with a few tweaks, but both of those conferences have shown to be the best of the rest in most metrics for the back decade+

If we can stick with Tulane, Memphis, etc we will be in good shape.

If not… yikes.

 

[goldenhurricane2]

Yes. Most likely. A Frankenstein ACC dangling out there like the PAC2.

I’d welcome friends from wake forest, Duke, Syracuse, Boston college, and the remaining middling acc teams.

 

[lawpoke87]

I’d welcome friends from wake forest, Duke, Syracuse, Boston college, and the remaining middling acc teams.

The top tier ACC teams will go to the Big10 and SEC. Second tier to the Big12. The question is will the third tier teams hold together and add AAC teams or fold and migrate to the AAC or other conferences?

 

[goldenhurricane2]

The top tier ACC teams will go to the Big10 and SEC. Second tier to the Big12. The question is will the third tier teams hold together and add AAC teams or fold and migrate to the AAC or other conferences?

either way would be fine with me… as long as we’re in the mix.

 

[drboobay]

The top tier ACC teams will go to the Big10 and SEC. Second tier to the Big12. The question is will the third tier teams hold together and add AAC teams or fold and migrate to the AAC or other conferences?

Some of the former Big East crew?

 

[Babe the Blue Ox]

I expect the ACC to announce in the next year it will be ceasing operations in its current form at the end of the 2026 academic year.

What do you think is leading to the potential demise of the ACC. Not enough emphasis on football?

 

[texcane1982]

I expect the ACC to announce in the next year it will be ceasing operations in its current form at the end of the 2026 academic year.

I'm guessing you believe the FSU and Clemson lawsuits will be settled by July 2026? If FSU and Clemson do settle for a reasonable exit fees, do you believe the current value of the ACC media deal entirely hinges on FSU and Clemson membership so much that the conference implodes as it is unable to renegotiate a new media deal any better than $30 mil per school deal turned down by the PAC Presidents after USC and UCLA gave notice?

I can't imagine the ACC will completely implode, the landscape is vastly different as their is not enough seats at the table for all the mouths that need to be fed. I do believe the American will be impacted when FSU and Clemson leave the AAC.


TX

 

[HuffyCane]

I think North Carolina will be given an offer they can’t refuse from the Big 10. And then the ACC loses home field advantage in the court cases. The other rats will scramble for the crumbs.

 

[HuffyCane]

What do you think is leading to the potential demise of the ACC. Not enough emphasis on football?

North Carolina’s greed and shrewd sense of timing.

 

[aTUfan]

the system should enable the top X teams in G5 to replace the bottom X team in the super league, each year.

 

[TulsaRulzOSUdrools]

These conferences will just become ACC and PAC-12 lite etc... eventually they will have divisions that just are functionally the same thing.

It will be criminal if Texas steps into the SEC and doesn't play A&M and OU every year.

OU should play Arkansas and Texas every year too.

it is criminal that OU and OSU can't play each other FSU and Florida do.

This is why college sports sucks. They really are a bunch of cowardly wankers.

 

[HuffyCane]

OSU declined the option. That will get solved eventually.

 

[aTUfan]

it is imperative that we become viable, in the next few years, so we are not left behind.