# Packing Their Bags? App State & Marshall Exploring the Conference Real Estate Market **URL:** \ **Category:** SBC\ **Created:** [October 21, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706 "2026-10-21T19:15:01Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 7\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![RaginCajun77](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/cajunthreds.discourse.group/ragincajun77/32/523_2.png) [@RaginCajun77](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/u/RaginCajun77)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 7:15pm UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706/1 "2026-10-21T19:15:01Z")
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. [![](https://canada1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/uploads/cajunthreds/original/2X/a/a226705477ff89475bcf07e98a03de42bc15958a.jpeg "App State NEXT?! Sun Belt Realignment Takes ANOTHER Shocking Turn | Sun Belt Podcast") ](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nnCyAhlH5fc) Here is what we know right now: - **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. - **Marshall is looking too:** Schultz noted that Marshall has also been in active conversations, specifically eyeing the AAC as well. - **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? ---
**Author:** ![RaginCajun1976](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/cajunthreds.discourse.group/ragincajun1976/32/58_2.png) [@RaginCajun1976](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/u/RaginCajun1976)\ **Post date:** [October 21, 2026, 10:21pm UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706/2 "2026-10-21T22:21:36Z")
Uncle Elon needs to pull the strings and get us into the Big 12 and give us a large athletic push. ---
**Author:** ![Hudsheen\_fired](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/h/ecd19e/32.png) [@Hudsheen\_fired](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/u/Hudsheen_fired)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 1:59pm UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706/3 "2026-10-22T13:59:09Z")
If App state and Marshall leave as well, then I really dont want to be in the sun belt. Sun Belt would then start looking like the CUSA. Dont think I would be able to support this program financially. ---
**Author:** ![cajuns22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@cajuns22](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/u/cajuns22)\ **Post date:** [October 22, 2026, 5:41pm UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706/4 "2026-10-22T17:41:38Z")
Looks like the conference is somewhat responding. New bowl tie in with ACC ---
**Author:** ![zeppelincajun](https://yyz1.discourse-cdn.com/flex029/user_avatar/cajunthreds.discourse.group/zeppelincajun/32/229_2.png) [@zeppelincajun](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/u/zeppelincajun)\ **Post date:** [October 23, 2026, 2:38am UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706/5 "2026-10-23T02:38:51Z")
Can you imagine what it must be like to have students at your game? Must be wild. ---
**Author:** ![Cajun4life](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/3ec8ea/32.png) [@Cajun4life](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/u/Cajun4life)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 1:16am UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706/6 "2026-10-24T01:16:36Z")
We are in worse financial position than we have ever been. We are not going anywhere or even seeking out other possible options. ---
**Author:** ![cajuns22](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/41988e/32.png) [@cajuns22](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/u/cajuns22)\ **Post date:** [October 24, 2026, 2:57am UTC](https://cajunthreds.discourse.group/t/packing-their-bags-app-state-marshall-exploring-the-conference-real-estate-market/2706/7 "2026-10-24T02:57:11Z")
Dr. K will fix everything