Dave Schultz over on the Locked On Sun Belt podcast just dropped some context today regarding the realignment dominoes, and it came straight from the source.
Here is what we know right now:
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App State is talking: App State Athletic Director Doug Gillin went on the pregame show with Adam Whitten and openly stated that they are “having conversations with everybody” to figure out the best funding model and position for Appalachian State moving forward.
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Marshall is looking too: Schultz noted that Marshall has also been in active conversations, specifically eyeing the AAC as well.
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The Price Tag: JMU’s move to the American Athletic Conference (AAC) is reportedly costing them $28 million total ($23M to get into the AAC, $5M in SBC exit fees). For App State to make a similar jump, they would need heavy corporate sponsorship, but they are clearly exploring the math.
With JMU already out the door and two of the biggest brands in the East Division openly admitting they are shopping around, Sun Belt Commissioner Keith Gill has to move fast to lock this conference down. There is already talk about whether the SBC might need to scrap the East/West divisions entirely if we start losing more of our Eastern footprint.
What does everyone think? If App State and Marshall actually find a new home in the AAC, does the Sun Belt survive as a Group of 6 football conference, or do we start looking for an exit strategy of our own?