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Topic:  Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?

Topic:  Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
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Bobcat Tattoo
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Member Since: 12/11/2022
Post Count: 31

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  Message Not Read  Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/16/2024 1:11:59 PM 
I know there's been a buzz for a while about NIU football joining the Mountain West, and it now seems like a done deal: https://www.si.com/college/group-five/mountain-west/repor...

As for hoops, if it's true that they leave it can only help the MAC. NIU for UMass is obviously a major upgrade.

**In case you can't see the article: "Per Brown, the rest of NIU's sports are also expected to leave the Mid-American Conference for a mid-major league such as the Summit, Ohio Valley and Horizon."
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GraffZ06
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Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
Post Count: 2,057

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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/16/2024 1:51:41 PM 
Horizon makes a lot of sense as a non-football league with regional ties and minimal $$ requirements.

Gets the Chicago market back into league after Loyola and UIC departures.

They'll need to save with all the $$ they are going to have to dump into football to a) compete at mtn west and b) travel to men west.

MAC football takes a hit.
MAC basketball, UMass for NIU?, I'll take that trade all day.

Last Edited: 12/16/2024 1:54:14 PM by GraffZ06
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FormerMember
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Member Since: 1/7/2022
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/16/2024 7:34:19 PM 
The ironic part is that most NIU fans were complaining about UMass joining the league when I think most MAC fans are more excited about gaining them for basketball than losing NIU for football.
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Bobcat1998
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Member Since: 11/7/2012
Post Count: 2,339

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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/17/2024 8:36:42 AM 
FormerMember wrote:
The ironic part is that most NIU fans were complaining about UMass joining the league when I think most MAC fans are more excited about gaining them for basketball than losing NIU for football.


Goodbye NIU, don't let the door hit you where the good lord....
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M.D.W.S.T
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Member Since: 12/23/2021
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/17/2024 12:52:09 PM 
Addition by subtraction.
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Kevin Finnegan
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Member Since: 2/4/2005
Location: Rockton, IL
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/17/2024 12:53:22 PM 
Personally hate it being 30 minutes from Dekalb. It was my easiest chance to catch OHIO sports.
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El Gato Roberto
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Buffalo Grove, IL
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/17/2024 1:41:04 PM 
Kevin Finnegan wrote:
Personally hate it being 30 minutes from Dekalb. It was my easiest chance to catch OHIO sports.

+1

"The name's Ohio University, but everybody calls me Ohio. Any of you guys call me Ohio U, and I'll kill you."
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TWT
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Alexandria, VA
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/18/2024 7:57:35 PM 
Its time for the MAC to seriously consider adding schools that don't play FBS football but can help us in basketball. Saint Louis, UI-Chicago, Rhode Island, Fordham. If that was the way the MAC was nobody would want to leave it.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

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GraffZ06
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Member Since: 1/5/2005
Location: Dayton, OH
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/20/2024 2:04:46 AM 
TWT wrote:
Its time for the MAC to seriously consider adding schools that don't play FBS football but can help us in basketball. Saint Louis, UI-Chicago, Rhode Island, Fordham. If that was the way the MAC was nobody would want to leave it.


I think the problem is, the minute the MAC allows members who don't play FBS football, half the current league members will breathe a sigh of relief and either drop football or move to FCS. You'd end up with a league of like 4 football teams. Come to think of it, that's exactly what should happen. Ok let's do this.
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GoCats105
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Member Since: 1/31/2006
Location: Seattle, WA
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/20/2024 10:41:27 AM 
TWT wrote:
Its time for the MAC to seriously consider adding schools that don't play FBS football but can help us in basketball. Saint Louis, UI-Chicago, Rhode Island, Fordham. If that was the way the MAC was nobody would want to leave it.


I'm not sure I like this, but they need to do something fast. I just don't like the idea of going to market in 2026-27 when the current TV deal expires with almost no changes to your current product, save for the NIU/UMass swap. I don't know if ESPN/FOX/CBS sees that as an upgrade, but IMO it's minimal at best.

Edit: I guess the one thing the MAC has going for it is that with bringing in UMass, that could be a sign the A-10 is getting weaker. Dayton really wants out and to be in the Big East. You could probably kick the tires on Rhode Island as a full member, but they would have to make a massive upgrade financially in football.

Last Edited: 12/20/2024 12:39:46 PM by GoCats105
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TWT
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/20/2024 4:44:29 PM 
GoCats105 wrote:
TWT wrote:
Its time for the MAC to seriously consider adding schools that don't play FBS football but can help us in basketball. Saint Louis, UI-Chicago, Rhode Island, Fordham. If that was the way the MAC was nobody would want to leave it.


I'm not sure I like this, but they need to do something fast. I just don't like the idea of going to market in 2026-27 when the current TV deal expires with almost no changes to your current product, save for the NIU/UMass swap. I don't know if ESPN/FOX/CBS sees that as an upgrade, but IMO it's minimal at best.

Edit: I guess the one thing the MAC has going for it is that with bringing in UMass, that could be a sign the A-10 is getting weaker. Dayton really wants out and to be in the Big East. You could probably kick the tires on Rhode Island as a full member, but they would have to make a massive upgrade financially in football.


I think the MAC will do fine going to market with the NIU/UMass swap in 26/27. My point more is that it would be smart to take in some non-football members while the leverage is still there and not wait until its gutted and without a national TV deal. Pay some of these basketball schools a full media share of the MAC contract to entice them over.

Most Memorable Bobcat Events Attended
2010 97-83 win over Georgetown in NCAA 1st round
2012 45-13 victory over ULM in the Independence Bowl
2015 34-3 drubbing of Miami @ Peden front of 25,086

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The Optimist
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Member Since: 3/16/2007
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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/22/2024 8:09:43 AM 
UMass for NIU is a net win.

If we do add Rhode Island, I would also take a look at Delaware. And maybe Vermont. That's a big shift east but it makes sense

I've seen crazier things happen.

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OhioCatFan
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Member Since: 12/20/2004
Location: Athens, OH
Post Count: 14,319

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  Message Not Read  RE: Northern Illinois to Leave the MAC?
   Posted: 12/22/2024 9:47:16 AM 
Saw one story that said NIU has delayed a decision until early 2025, and may be having second thoughts. I guess we'll see!

The only BLSS Certified Hypocrite on BA

"It is better to be an optimist and be proven a fool than to be a pessimist and be proven right."

Note: My avatar is the national colors of the 78th Ohio Veteran Volunteer Infantry, which are now preserved in a climate controlled vault at the Ohio History Connection. Learn more about the old 78th at: http://www.78ohio.org

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