Pretty wild how much money they threw at this with no money coming back in the immediate future. They better hope the ACC stays together for awhile.

Twenty flights, clandestine commissioner meetings, a near invite to the Pac-12 and a $200M+ pledge from Texas oil tycoons.

Inside SMU’s Power 5 campaign & the billionaire behind it.

“It’s a couple hundred million dollars. I’m not losing sleep over it.”https://t.co/ORgSBcOcpE

— Ross Dellenger (@RossDellenger) September 7, 2023

https://sports.yahoo.com/inside-smus-pursuit-of-the-power-five--its-a-couple-hundred-million-dollars-im-not-losing-sleep-over-it-125139541.html

Excerpt:

How this all happened, a Hollywood script of a story with Miller as the lead protagonist, is no longer shrouded in secrecy.

Miller spent the last 14 months on what some Texans might describe as a wildcatting adventure, not for unfounded oil wells but for a major conference home for the SMU Mustangs. In his eight-passenger Challenger 300 business jet, he criss-crossed the country on an orchestrated mission to convince influencers at one of three major conferences to invite into their league the school in Uptown Dallas.

Call it an amazing race: Twenty flights, two dozen clandestine meetings, hundreds of secret phone calls, a near-invitation to the Pac-12, an unprecedented revenue proposal and a commitment from a small group of oil executives and business moguls of more than $200 million the price tag, as one put it, to get into the club.

It is a story straight out of Texas.

"In 2021, the university launched a $1.5 billion capital campaign that two years later, despite pandemic effects and a teetering economy, has generated $1 billion in donations.

Many of the country's powerhouse athletic programs lean on a small group of millionaires for investments. SMU has billionaires.

Most of them sit on the school's board of trustees.

"It's amazing," said Steve Orsini, who helped lay a foundation as SMU's athletic director in 2006-2012. "I was awestruck when I'd go into a board of trustees meeting. I've been at a lot of universities, but that's as good of a room of committed and successful people as I've seen anywhere."

They're still getting the CFP money ..NCAA tournament units ..and bowl shares...so they still will make more in those 9 years than they do in the AAC.

Not to mention the uptick in exposure..merch sales . ticket sales..and donations.

Well....perhaps so but they will probably be getting a demotion back to a G conference if or when the ACC collapses which may occur well within a decade.

BTW off topic, in a way, is Ford Stadium the smallest P4 venue?

Now go hire Art and really shake things up in Highland Park.

PartyBear said:

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Well....perhaps so but they will probably be getting a demotion back to a G conference if or when the ACC collapses which may occur well within a decade.

BTW off topic, in a way, is Ford Stadium the smallest P4 venue?

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I think Ford was listed at 32,000, with the berm in the south endzone toward Mockingbird. They are closing that in with a new endzone complex that will probably add another 1500-2000 seats or so.

Wake Forest capacity is listed at 31,500. Not sure if that includes the berm in the endzone or not. It's probably just a little bit smaller than Ford, but all of its seats are on the sidelines while Ford is a horseshoe with probably 5K seats in the endzone.

Northwestern's proposed new stadium is supposed to be only around 35K, but who knows what the status of it is after the firestorm they have gone through this summer.

Wallace Wade Stadium at Duke used to be only about 33,000, but they enlarged it when they took out the track and added the new press box/suite tower that raised capacity to around 40K.

Cincinnati is a little over 38K in capacity. UH is slightly bigger at about 40K.

Martin Stadium at Washington St reduced its capacity from 35K to 32,950 with its latest renovations, but it's on the down escalator leading out of P5.

SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

Aberzombie1892 said:

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SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

---

1. If Baylor can't compete with SMU, we're in much bigger trouble than any of us think.

2. Why are Baylor fans so damn afraid of competition? If you don't want to get passed, get/be better. This isn't difficult.

bear2be2 said:

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Aberzombie1892 said:

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SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

---

1. If Baylor can't compete with SMU, we're in much bigger trouble than any of us think.

2. Why are Baylor fans so damn afraid of competition? If you don't want to get passed, get/be better. This isn't difficult.

---

This is what kills me about a lot of Baylor fans.....just a bunch of pink tacos scared of anyone and everybody.

This might not be a popular opinion....but I think the addition of TCU to the BIGXII caused our athletic program to go to heights that most of us never thought we were capable of.

If you look at what Baylor has accomplished since 2010....I don't think any of us that have been here since the Steele days really saw that coming.

Its helps having a capable rival. That whole Iron sharpens Iron type of thing.
I welcome the addition of Houston and TCU to the BIGXII.

Method Man said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Aberzombie1892 said:

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SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

---

1. If Baylor can't compete with SMU, we're in much bigger trouble than any of us think.

2. Why are Baylor fans so damn afraid of competition? If you don't want to get passed, get/be better. This isn't difficult.

---

This is what kills me about a lot of Baylor fans.....just a bunch of pink tacos scared of anyone and everybody.

This might not be a popular opinion....but I think the addition of TCU to the BIGXII caused our athletic program to go to heights that most of us never thought we were capable of.

If you look at what Baylor has accomplished since 2010....I don't think any of us that have been here since the Steele days really saw that coming.

Its helps having a capable rival. That whole Iron sharpens Iron type of thing.
I welcome the addition of Houston and TCU to the BIGXII.

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I feel the same way. Competition makes everyone better. Plus, I'm a "big tent" guy. I'm happy with more teams playing P5 (or whatever it is now) football, not fewer.

Stefano DiMera said:

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They're still getting the CFP money ..NCAA tournament units ..and bowl shares...so they still will make more in those 9 years than they do in the AAC.

Not to mention the uptick in exposure..merch sales . ticket sales..and donations.

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THIS

They don't get money from the TV contract, but they still get other types of revenue sharing. If they actually win the conference then they will get WAAAY more than if they ever won the AAC, CUSA, or WAC (which they have never done btw).

I think the new USF proposed stadium in Tampa will be 35k

bear2be2 said:

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Aberzombie1892 said:

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SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

---

2. Why are Baylor fans so damn afraid of competition? If you don't want to get passed, get/be better. This isn't difficult.

---

20 lb sledgehammer, meet spike.

bear2be2 said:

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Aberzombie1892 said:

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SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

---

1. If Baylor can't compete with SMU, we're in much bigger trouble than any of us think.

2. Why are Baylor fans so damn afraid of competition? If you don't want to get passed, get/be better. This isn't difficult.

---

If Baylor had the opportunity to beat SMU on the field in conference play, that would fall in line with concerns around competition, but that's not what's happening here. SMU is being elevated to a power conference that allows it to avoid playing the other Texas based power conference teams - similar to what happened with Texas A&M when it moved to the SEC, and, like Texas A&M, SMU won't have to prove anything on the field vs. Texas based Big 12 teams as they won't be playing each other outside of specific situations (i.e. bowls and regular season contracts). Because that is the case, SMU will have the opportunity to leverage its advantages (i.e. NIL/geography) without risking its perception among recruits by potentially losing to those teams, and, to be clear here, SMU only has to establish a recruiting footprint in the 30's of the 247 rankings to have a major impact on other power conference teams in Texas that aren't Texas or Texas A&M.

But don't worry, Baylor will not only maintain its current recruiting position - it will also exceed expectations because..reasons.

Aberzombie1892 said:

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bear2be2 said:

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Aberzombie1892 said:

---

SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

---

1. If Baylor can't compete with SMU, we're in much bigger trouble than any of us think.

2. Why are Baylor fans so damn afraid of competition? If you don't want to get passed, get/be better. This isn't difficult.

---

If Baylor had the opportunity to beat SMU on the field in conference play, that would fall in line with concerns around competition, but that's not what's happening here. SMU is being elevated to a power conference that allows it to avoid playing the other Texas based power conference teams - similar to what happened with Texas A&M when it moved to the SEC, and, like Texas A&M, SMU won't have to prove anything on the field vs. Texas based Big 12 teams as they won't be playing each other outside of specific situations (i.e. bowls and regular season contracts). Because that is the case, SMU will have the opportunity to leverage its advantages (i.e. NIL/geography) without risking its perception among recruits by potentially losing to those teams, and, to be clear here, SMU only has to establish a recruiting footprint in the 30's of the 247 rankings to have a major impact on other power conference teams in Texas that aren't Texas or Texas A&M.

But don't worry, Baylor will not only maintain its current recruiting position - it will also exceed expectations because..reasons.

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So what?
Who cares?

If you are scared of competition, or the SMU Mustangs then maybe this aint the place for you.

Currently I'm more scared of Tx St

I'm convinced Abercrombie is a passive aggressive anti Baylor troll. No matter what happens, it is spun as something terrible for Baylor. The XII survives and is now a strong conference, somehow that is bad news for Baylor. SMU of all schools getting invited to the ACC it's bad for Baylor. If Baylor upsets Texas in a few weeks it will be really bad for Baylor yada yada.

They should be called The David Miller Mustangs

PartyBear said:

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I'm convinced Abercrombie is a passive aggressive anti Baylor troll. No matter what happens, it is spun as something terrible for Baylor. The XII survives and is now a strong conference, somehow that is bad news for Baylor. SMU of all schools getting invited to the ACC it's bad for Baylor. If Baylor upsets Texas in a few weeks it will be really bad for Baylor yada yada.

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He is probably a lot like me. Been around for seven decades and same old same old with a breakthrough here and there other than the only coach we ever had that was fun and they killed him.

We can't be much over 50% wins all time. Everyone points to wins over UT or OU but generally when we beat those teams they are pretty crappy.

Sounds like they have some big donors who will be getting into the NIL.

DFW is such a melting pot they shouldn't have much trouble filling their stadium when adding visiting fans the first couple of years when Stanford, FSU, Clemson, UNC, Miami, Notre Dame, UVA come to town. They are actually much more fortunate they didn't get into the Pac 12 and got a rabbits foot draw.

Method Man said:

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bear2be2 said:

---

Aberzombie1892 said:

---

SMU being elevated to a P4 isn't a threat to Baylor recruiting at all. Heck, the fact that every SMU football (and basketball) player is guaranteed at least $36k/year isn't a threat either.

(sarcasm)

---

1. If Baylor can't compete with SMU, we're in much bigger trouble than any of us think.

2. Why are Baylor fans so damn afraid of competition? If you don't want to get passed, get/be better. This isn't difficult.

---

This is what kills me about a lot of Baylor fans.....just a bunch of pink tacos scared of anyone and everybody.

This might not be a popular opinion....but I think the addition of TCU to the BIGXII caused our athletic program to go to heights that most of us never thought we were capable of.

If you look at what Baylor has accomplished since 2010....I don't think any of us that have been here since the Steele days really saw that coming.

Its helps having a capable rival. That whole Iron sharpens Iron type of thing.
I welcome the addition of Houston and TCU to the BIGXII.

---

Absolutely. That's what sports is all about, or supposed to be. In-state and regional rivalries are the best. We're losing that these days, and its a damn shame.

New: #SMU raised $100 million in 7 days after its ACC move.

Plus, nearly $200 million in exposure, site visits for applications up 103% + other benefits announced.

"It's an incredible start in our campaign to position SMU to compete for championships."https://t.co/GJuPLgQhm7 pic.twitter.com/faB3bqzV5P

— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) September 18, 2023

BREAKING: #SMU lands a commitment from 2025 4-star Duncanville (Tex.) QB Keelon Russell.

The Mustangs stay red-hot, moving up even higher in the Top 10 classes.@On3Recruits has Russell as a Top 100 prospect and Top 10 QB.https://t.co/248HGiSU8j#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/K0xTp1Nrqv

— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) September 21, 2023

boognish_bear said:

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BREAKING: #SMU lands a commitment from 2025 4-star Duncanville (Tex.) QB Keelon Russell.

The Mustangs stay red-hot, moving up even higher in the Top 10 classes.@On3Recruits has Russell as a Top 100 prospect and Top 10 QB.https://t.co/248HGiSU8j#PonyUpDallas pic.twitter.com/K0xTp1Nrqv

— Billy Embody (@BillyEmbody) September 21, 2023

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It's a shame for SMU (and I'm not being sarcastic) that all of this momentum will have a negligible impact on fan interest and attendance. I applaud the SMU athletic department for the steps it has taken to try to field competitive programs and position the university well for the future. That the response to all those efforts is a half-full 30,000-seat stadium suggests, though, that it likely just be sound and fury in the long run.

PartyBear said:

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Well....perhaps so but they will probably be getting a demotion back to a G conference if or when the ACC collapses which may occur well within a decade.

BTW off topic, in a way, is Ford Stadium the smallest P4 venue?

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You think the B12 isn't in 10 years? Baylor has a tendency to downplay what others do in value and overestimated Baylor. Like TCU making playoff last year, beating Michigan and getting blown out, that was somehow a negative...

SMU is a direct competitor to Baylor in the future realignment and holds more cards. The ACC has a bad deal now, but more valuable programs and geography. I don't get the down playing of either. SMU will do whatever is necessary if allowed and has resources. That is dangerous

You think the XII is likely to collapse? Is that what you are trying to say? It appears to be on a good trajectory and when it has looked like it was on the verge of collapsing a couple of times in its history, it has hung in there. In its most recent time of near collapse, it not only survived but within a couple of years became arguably the strongest conference behind the B10 and SEC.

The best case scenario for SMU during the ACC's inevitable raid by the Big 2, is that the ACC survives as a decent conference and the landscape is still basically a P4 situation as now, or they end up as one of the ACC members with a XII invite if the ACC collapses, and which I currently doubt would be the case. I'm not scared of them either way.

In fact I'm so unafraid of SMU, I hope they beat TCU Saturday.

I think ACC is eventually raided by the B2 but their pre raid expansion will help them survive as a P4. I think they will be the weakest P4, but P4 nonetheless. SMU bought their way in but had the ponies to do it.

BearFan33 said:

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I think ACC is eventually raided by the B2 but their pre raid expansion will help them survive as a P4. I think they will be the weakest P4, but P4 nonetheless. SMU bought their way in but had the ponies to do it.

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As we have seen in the past, SMU is a sleeping giant (maybe more like a tied down giant). They are akin to Miami, USC and Notre Dame, the only other small private schools that became powerhouses. What they did that got them in trouble would be ok now. Payroll will start up again.

I fear an unleashed SMU much more than TCU.

I'm glad at least one other person here has the same concerns I do. SMU's elevation will be a game changer over time.

If 2-3 acc schools get raided by the big 2, and the current big 2 and next 2 remain as they are, Baylor is safe in the big 12.

My fear is if the big 2 decide they don't want to pay the Vanderbilts and northwesterns and Minnesotas 100-150 million a year and decide to blow everything up. They decide to have a 30 team blue blood league and then there are a couple of newly formed second tier conferences behind that with 1 guaranteed playoff spot in a 12 team playoff. We might be behind tcu and smu in the pecking order for a spot in those second teirs, we don't have Ann richards to protect us this time.

Perhaps the only thing keeping the big 2 from doing this is that everyone can't win and and there will be a lot of .500 or below blue bloods with unhappy fan bases like Nebraska has been. It would be like the nfl where the national champion is 10-4.

SMU is a sleeping giant? Hmmm......no. You just compared SMU to Miami and USC. Baylor is more like those two actually and is more like those two than TCU as well. Baylor, Miami and USC are pretty large private schools not little private schools. USC is much larger than the other two, I think Baylor is larger than Miami by a few thousand. Baylor in the last couple of decades has grown to and currently is about half the size of UT. Just think about that for a second. Baylor probably has never been half the size of UT since UT was founded.

Rg6 said:

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If 2-3 acc schools get raided by the big 2, and the current big 2 and next 2 remain as they are, Baylor is safe in the big 12.

My fear is if the big 2 decide they don't want to pay the Vanderbilts and northwesterns and Minnesotas 100-150 million a year and decide to blow everything up. They decide to have a 30 team blue blood league and then there are a couple of newly formed second tier conferences behind that with 1 guaranteed playoff spot in a 12 team playoff. We might be behind tcu and smu in the pecking order for a spot in those second teirs, we don't have Ann richards to protect us this time.

Perhaps the only thing keeping the big 2 from doing this is that everyone can't win and and there will be a lot of .500 or below blue bloods with unhappy fan bases like Nebraska has been. It would be like the nfl where the national champion is 10-4.

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A top 30 that plays each other and the G5s provide 5 to 6 games a year is the model I see. They will still get their gawdy records.

I am actually starting to see that the portal may kill the Super Conference. Bama is not untouchable. UGA is not untouchable. OSU, UT, Michigan are all not that far ahead this year. Will more years of the portal kill the superteam

PartyBear said:

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SMU is a sleeping giant? Hmmm......no. You just compared SMU to Miami and USC. Baylor is more like those two actually and is more like those two than TCU as well. Baylor, Miami and USC are pretty large private schools not little private schools. USC is much larger than the other two, I think Baylor is larger than Miami by a few thousand. Baylor in the last couple of decades has grown to and currently is about half the size of UT. Just think about that for a second. Baylor probably has never been half the size of UT since UT was founded.

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I think we can all agree that FLBear wasn't talking about enrollment numbers.

Ok well I guess you guys can be afraid of them and its cool with me. But they have been this wealthy for the past 30 years and again they arent getting into the ACC because the ACC thought this is a "powerful program that attracts eyes nationwide how have they not been taken?" They were taken by the ACC to be a vote against disbanding when the Big 2 raids them and that is it, On top of that they arent getting any money from the TV contract to come in and be that vote. They are essentially still a Tulane or Tulsa.