Reports are all over the internet on legitimate sites like ESPN and USA Today that BYU will go independent in football and re-join the WAC in other sports. This will break up and end the Mountain West Conference. May it rest in peace.
12:47PM update...According to the Des-news, the 12 apostles of the LDS church has the BYU Independence question on the agenda for their weekly Thursday meeting in the Salt Lake Temple. The governing body of the LDS church also serves as the board of directors for BYU.
The SLTrib says it's a done deal.
7:09 Update--Fresno State, according to the Fresno Bee, has accepted an invitation to join the MWC. Could this mean that the MWC has brokered a deal to keep the Cougars? There has also been an invitation to Nevada. This means divisions and a conference championship game. If the MWC allows BYU to broadcast their own games, it could be worth more money than BYU would get as an independent.
9:00 PM Update
Nevada is also leaving the WAC for the MWC. This will likely keep Boise state coming to the MWC and could very part of a deal to keep BYU. Chances are that there is one more to join to make the MWC a 12-team conference with BYU.
10:00 Update
WCC has said they would accept BYU for non-football sports. Gonzaga, Loyola Marymount, San Francisco, Portland U. Not a good fit for the Cougars.
My analysis before bedtime:
BYU must have brokered a deal to split the MWC into divisions and broadcast their own games. The WAC does not look as good for BYU without Fresno and Nevada. It will make the travel problem worse as the WAC add more Texas schools. BYU's independent deal is NOT THAT LUCRATIVE. BYU should stay in the MWC and the MWC should add a Texas school to break into two divisions.
Also, where would Fresno and Nevada come up with the 5 million each to join the MWC? There has to be a deal on the table.
Stay tuned.
Here is BYU's rumored deal with the WAC:
-Independent in Football, but ensure at least 4 and as many a 6 WAC schools will be available to play BYU in football each season to fill holes in the schedule. Utah State and Hawaii will be on the schedule every season. BYU will get an extra home game when they travel to Hawaii.
-BYU will use their own TV network to broadcast games not carried by ESPN.
-Most football games will be on Saturday, except for the first Friday in October.
Unanswered Questions?
Will BYU have a slot in one of the WAC Bowls, like the Hawaii Bowl, opposite a WAC opponent should they be bowl eligible and not qualify for the BCS? This should be part of the deal.
Will ESPN have access to BYU's equipment should they broadcast a game from LaVell Edwards Stadium?
Will the WAC move their basketball championship to Energy Solutions Arena? Baseball championship to Miller Field? What other goodies did the WAC give BYU to get this deal?
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