Article about how the dominoes in conference expansion affect UH

HSA Note: "» The money: Boise State's departure could cost UH television revenue, as the WAC-ESPN deal is certain to be rewritten. WAC members share ESPN's $4.5 million annual payout.

» The games: UH would be forced to scramble to find a football replacement during a period - October and November - when most teams are unwilling to play nonconference games. The Warriors net an average of $700,000 per home game, with gate receipts as much as $1.5 million. And that does not include pay-per-view revenue for home games.

» The conference: The WAC could merge with the Mountain West Conference, pick up other schools from various levels or do nothing at all."

HSA Note: "If the Big 12 suffers significant defections, as expected, it likely will rebuild by pilfering schools from the Mountain West and Conference USA. The Mountain West's Brigham Young University, Utah and Texas Christian would be likely targets. If those three were to join the Big 12, that would open the possibility of the WAC and Mountain West entering consolidation talks. If the Mountain West remains intact, with the addition of Boise State, the WAC could stay put, try to recruit UNLV or San Diego State, or look to invite Division I-AA schools such as Sacramento State and UC Davis."

About how conference expansion/realignment isn't over yet, JD said:
"I don't think the dominoes have stopped." (HSA)

HSA Note: "The new six-year television contract between the WAC and ESPN has a clause that allows for the financial terms to be restructured if the league's composition changes. The $4.5 million annual contract calls for an even split among the nine member schools; the league's office does not receive a cut."

HSA Note: "Donovan said there is a possibility the Warriors, who are permitted to play up to 13 regular-season games each year, might play only 12 in 2011. The Warriors earn a net average of $700,000 per home game in ticket revenue; the scheduled 2010 season opener against Southern California is expected to net $1.5 million. Donovan said the Broncos' departure "impacts the WAC in terms of status in the sport of football." But he noted the Broncos have not dominated the other revenue-generating sports."

Hoping that UH can dominate the WAC like BSU did, Honolulu Mayor Mufi Hannemann said:
"Boise State has been a premier team. This is an opportunity for UH to really step up. Instead of looking at this as a crisis, we should look at it as an opportunity for UH to be the next Boise State." (HSA)

http://www.staradvertiser.com/news/hawaiinews/20100612_WAC_cracked.html