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Message: <blockquote data-quote="Volatility_rivals135605" data-source="post: 131745754" data-attributes="member: 1476288">The average person/fan 99.99% of time would probably assume because WV is a small state WVU's revenue potential, viewership, & Brand value reflect the population ranking(39th), which still isnt that bad considering a 64 P5/P4 team scenario..  Before the realignment talk, even though I know WVU's fans are extremely passionate & loyal, I would include myself in that assumption too.However, after spending some time and actually diving into WVU's revenue/value data( TV Market, Streaming, Merch Licensing, Brand Equity Value, Game Attendance, viewership, fan engagement):secondary program outcome categories - (recruiting, facilities, accomplishments, wins, recent academic improvements, etc)secondary side effects( Media Footprint diversification, Opposition Fan engagement increases, Culture, Fit, rivalries, etc)The average public sentiment follows the simple-minded and inaccurate "state population = value narrative", which if enough people think or feel something, the masses accept as factual/reality, tho that doesnt make it true.  However, I would imagine conference leaders look at this data more closely then a state's population, and that puts WVU in a very strong position now.A lot of things have changed since the last realignment, the world is a very different place.  Streaming wasnt even a major revenue source back then, they were also less data points to measure fan engagement & passion.Frankly, we dont know who is knocking on Lyons door....  We could have already been extended an informal invite, but waiting on a few dominoes to fall before the rest of the dust settles.A few "bow-tie" types kept us out of the ACC last time, but those people are gone, and both ACC, its universities, & WVU all have new leadership now, along with improvements in the area that had a negative perception last go around.  If conferences want to remain competitive & strong, they cant apply a weight to factors that would inhibit prosperity.  Im actually far more confident in WVU's future path than I was when the OU/UT news first broke.  Literally every data point justifies WVU will add to any conference's revenue. The data is far more bullish than I thought it would be, it was a pleasant surprise.I think conferences will wait till they take additional formalized action, but when it all starts happening, it could all happen extremely fast, like a progressive game of musical chairs.  So until then forums abound with debates, conspiracies, & theories about close door conversations, and data nerds geeking out over formulas, analytics, & program evaluations.  <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile    :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" />If WVU does join the ACC, I hope current leadership is extremely aggressive and expands to 20 by adding ND, WVU, OkieSt, TCU,  Baylor, & (UCF, Cinci, KState, TTU, Kansas - whichever brings most value).  Diversification of footprint will help offset any potential future losses if a couple of ACC's larger brands leave.  Whatever conference we join, we want it to be as strong & secure as possible, so we dont run into this issue again, at least anytime soon.  Good news I suppose, is I heard ACC's new President is more business minded, so hopefully that translates into a deployment of a M&A mentality.</blockquote>

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