Boom Or Bust? The Truth About Mountain West Expansion Revealed

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Post on Feb 04, 2025

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Boom or Bust? The Truth About Mountain West Expansion Revealed

The Mountain West Conference, once a relatively quiet corner of college athletics, is experiencing a seismic shift. Recent expansion talk has ignited passionate debate: will this be a boom, propelling the conference to new heights, or a bust, leading to instability and diluted identity? Let's delve into the complexities of this situation and analyze the potential outcomes.

Understanding the Current Landscape

The Mountain West's current membership comprises a diverse collection of universities, each with its unique strengths and weaknesses. Some boast strong academic reputations, while others excel in athletic performance. However, compared to Power Five conferences, the Mountain West faces challenges in securing lucrative media deals and attracting top-tier recruits. This expansion is a direct attempt to address these issues.

Key Factors Driving Expansion

The driving force behind the expansion push is multifaceted:

• Increased Revenue: Adding new members, particularly those with strong athletic programs and fan bases, could significantly boost television revenue and conference tournament earnings.
• Enhanced National Exposure: Expansion provides opportunities to increase national media coverage and improve the conference's overall profile. This is crucial for attracting high-profile recruits and securing better sponsorship deals.
• Geographic Considerations: Strategic expansion can lead to a more geographically balanced conference, simplifying travel and scheduling.
• Competitive Balance: Adding competitive programs could lead to a more exciting and unpredictable conference race, increasing the appeal to fans and media outlets.

Potential Boom Scenarios:

The expansion could be a significant success if the following conditions are met:

• Strategic Selection of New Members: The addition of strong, stable athletic programs with established fan bases will inject much-needed energy and resources into the conference. Careful vetting is crucial here.
• Negotiation of Favorable Media Rights Deals: Securing a lucrative television contract is essential to finance the expansion and compete with other conferences.
• Improved Recruiting: A stronger conference profile could attract better recruits, enhancing competitiveness and long-term stability.
• Successful Integration of New Members: Harmonious integration of the new members is vital to avoid internal conflicts and maintain the conference's identity.

A successful boom would mean: increased revenue, enhanced national profile, stronger competitive balance, and a brighter future for all member institutions.

Potential Bust Scenarios:

Conversely, the expansion carries risks:

• Financial Instability: Adding new members without securing commensurate revenue increases could put significant strain on the conference's finances.
• Diluted Identity: The addition of geographically disparate or academically mismatched institutions could dilute the conference's unique character and brand.
• Increased Travel Costs: Expanding geographically could increase travel costs for teams and fans, impacting budgets and fan engagement.
• Internal Conflicts: Differing institutional priorities and competitive imbalances could lead to internal friction and undermine unity within the conference.

A bust would result in: decreased revenue, a weakened national profile, intensified competitive imbalances, and potential instability among member institutions.

The Verdict: A Cautious Optimism

The Mountain West's expansion represents a high-stakes gamble. While the potential benefits – increased revenue and national exposure – are undeniably attractive, the risks of financial instability and diluted identity must be carefully managed. The success of this endeavor will hinge on the conference's ability to strategically select new members, negotiate favorable media contracts, and successfully integrate them into the existing structure.

The coming years will be crucial in determining whether this expansion proves to be a significant boom for the Mountain West Conference, or a costly bust. Careful planning, strategic decision-making, and a commitment to collaboration will be essential to navigate this pivotal moment in the conference's history. Only time will tell if the gamble pays off.