Conference USA would like for it to reorganize with the AAC along geographic boundaries GETTY IMAGES
Conference USA execs yesterday sent a letter to the AAC "asking them to consider a regionalization model to reorganize the two leagues," according to Ross Dellenger of SI.com. The proposal, originating from C-USA Commissioner Judy MacLeod, "would require the conferences to remake themselves based on geography, creating two new leagues under different names." C-USA presidents met Monday to "approve the decision to reach out to the AAC," seen as the "next step in what’s been a weekslong process of drafting reorganization models." MacLeod acknowledged that her league’s intentions are to "regionalize with another Group of 5 conference in light of the latest realignment wave that has engulfed college sports." MacLeod: “This is worth a shot instead of continuing to perpetuate the insanity. Our presidents are willing and would like to have broader conversations about it. We can’t do it alone.” However, Dellenger writes most within the college sports industry believe reorganization to "be a long shot." AAC Commissioner Mike Aresco has "publicly spoken against any type of merger plan." An AAC and C-USA reorganization would "likely be made along East–West lines." The plan "does not call for one new conference but two remade leagues under different conference names," which would "provide more geographic-friendly matchups." MacLeod has "briefly described her reorganization proposals with other commissioners, but doesn’t know 'if people are willing to get in'" (SI.com, 10/12).
TOUGH SELL: THE ATHLETIC's Chris Vannini noted the Sun Belt "has no interest in such a move either," something "many fans in the two leagues have desired." Both the AAC and Sun Belt believe that they are "better positioned than C-USA and don’t want to give up that advantage." Some ADs in those leagues "see the appeal of such a move but believe factors such as conference exit fees, current television deals and local political clashing make such a move untenable" (THEATHLETIC.com, 10/12).
