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The University of Hawaii can’t be blamed if it used to feel like it received an invitation a week after the RSVP deadline.
For 27 years, UH chased full acceptance from the Mountain West Conference.
In 1998, UH was one of 16 members of the Western Athletic Conference. But in a clandestine meeting at what was then known as Stapleton International Airport in Denver, eight members plotted to secede from the WAC to form the Mountain West in 1999. It was a strategically legal tactic — the breakaways can’t be guilty of damages if they leave behind enough members to remain a functional league. UH was one of the schools not included in the escape plans.
With conference realignments in 2010, the Mountain West looked to the WAC for replacement schools. Boise State agreed to join in 2011. The Mountain West extended invitations to Fresno State and Nevada beginning with the 2012-13 academic year. And then the Mountain West sent UH a football-only invitation beginning in 2012. Not only could the Rainbow Warriors not bring along UH’s other sports — most headed to the Big West — but they still had to pay travel subsidies for visiting football teams and would not receive a share of the Mountain West’s television revenue.
Two years ago, five Mountain West schools — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State — opted to join what remained of the Pac-12. In a pledge of allegiance to remain in the Mountain West, Air Force and UNLV were set to receive the largest share of exit and poaching fees from the secessionists and Pac-12. UH, as a football-only member, was to receive the smallest cut.
And then the Mountain West figured, what the heck, and invited 15 other UH teams to join. (UH’s men’s volleyball, beach volleyball and water polo teams will remain in the Big West because the Mountain West does not sponsor those sports.)
UH officially becomes a full member of the Mountain West on Wednesday — with a full vote and an equal share of the league’s television revenue. The process toward eliminating travel subsidies accelerates.
When the WAC was split ahead of the 1999 football season, it created a power vacuum in football. UH took the early lead, thanks to June Jones’ four-wide offense. Despite the Warriors’ 12-0 regular season in 2007, Boise State became the dominant football team in the WAC and then the Mountain West.
After years of window shopping for another conference, Boise State is no longer UH’s competition. The widespread belief is programs with the largest name-image-likeness bankrolls — UNLV in football, New Mexico in men’s basketball — aspire to be the next Boise State.
But after years of being the backup plan, UH now has the opportunity to take the lead.
The Warriors can provide national exposure. With the chase time slot, the Warriors’ late kickoff is an attractive bet for those seeking to recoup Saturday losses.
UH also has the best local television deal, which offers free-to-affordable access to 110 sporting events. Fifty more telecasts will be available for UH events played simultaneously.
UNLV plays in the football stadium with the largest seating capacity. But there is no doubt the Las Vegas Raiders are Allegiant Stadium’s primary tenant. UNLV is asked to clear the stadium an hour after the final whistle.
For now, UH’s home venue is earning “meh” Yelp reviews. But there is a realistic hope the Aloha Stadium replacement will be completed in time for the 2029 opening kickoff. At 31,0o0, the Halawa facility will have the league’s fourth-largest seating capacity. UH also is one of four Mountain West teams tied to a bowl.
On Wednesday, the Mountain West will officially launch its new app. Subscribers will be asked to name their favorite team. Schools will receive a large portion of the revenue from their fans’ subscription. With all non-network UH road football games streaming on the Mountain West app, the Warriors are expected have the largest number of subscribers.
With the Mountain Wests’s reorganization, UH has an opportunity to claim a place at the head table.
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Continue reading...
For 27 years, UH chased full acceptance from the Mountain West Conference.
In 1998, UH was one of 16 members of the Western Athletic Conference. But in a clandestine meeting at what was then known as Stapleton International Airport in Denver, eight members plotted to secede from the WAC to form the Mountain West in 1999. It was a strategically legal tactic — the breakaways can’t be guilty of damages if they leave behind enough members to remain a functional league. UH was one of the schools not included in the escape plans.
With conference realignments in 2010, the Mountain West looked to the WAC for replacement schools. Boise State agreed to join in 2011. The Mountain West extended invitations to Fresno State and Nevada beginning with the 2012-13 academic year. And then the Mountain West sent UH a football-only invitation beginning in 2012. Not only could the Rainbow Warriors not bring along UH’s other sports — most headed to the Big West — but they still had to pay travel subsidies for visiting football teams and would not receive a share of the Mountain West’s television revenue.
Two years ago, five Mountain West schools — Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State — opted to join what remained of the Pac-12. In a pledge of allegiance to remain in the Mountain West, Air Force and UNLV were set to receive the largest share of exit and poaching fees from the secessionists and Pac-12. UH, as a football-only member, was to receive the smallest cut.
And then the Mountain West figured, what the heck, and invited 15 other UH teams to join. (UH’s men’s volleyball, beach volleyball and water polo teams will remain in the Big West because the Mountain West does not sponsor those sports.)
UH officially becomes a full member of the Mountain West on Wednesday — with a full vote and an equal share of the league’s television revenue. The process toward eliminating travel subsidies accelerates.
When the WAC was split ahead of the 1999 football season, it created a power vacuum in football. UH took the early lead, thanks to June Jones’ four-wide offense. Despite the Warriors’ 12-0 regular season in 2007, Boise State became the dominant football team in the WAC and then the Mountain West.
After years of window shopping for another conference, Boise State is no longer UH’s competition. The widespread belief is programs with the largest name-image-likeness bankrolls — UNLV in football, New Mexico in men’s basketball — aspire to be the next Boise State.
But after years of being the backup plan, UH now has the opportunity to take the lead.
The Warriors can provide national exposure. With the chase time slot, the Warriors’ late kickoff is an attractive bet for those seeking to recoup Saturday losses.
UH also has the best local television deal, which offers free-to-affordable access to 110 sporting events. Fifty more telecasts will be available for UH events played simultaneously.
UNLV plays in the football stadium with the largest seating capacity. But there is no doubt the Las Vegas Raiders are Allegiant Stadium’s primary tenant. UNLV is asked to clear the stadium an hour after the final whistle.
For now, UH’s home venue is earning “meh” Yelp reviews. But there is a realistic hope the Aloha Stadium replacement will be completed in time for the 2029 opening kickoff. At 31,0o0, the Halawa facility will have the league’s fourth-largest seating capacity. UH also is one of four Mountain West teams tied to a bowl.
On Wednesday, the Mountain West will officially launch its new app. Subscribers will be asked to name their favorite team. Schools will receive a large portion of the revenue from their fans’ subscription. With all non-network UH road football games streaming on the Mountain West app, the Warriors are expected have the largest number of subscribers.
With the Mountain Wests’s reorganization, UH has an opportunity to claim a place at the head table.
—
Continue reading...
