Here's how it's being spun in Sacramento:

https://tinyurl.com/5b7fm4sf

Key Quotes:

"As someone who had the privilege of playing in the NFL, I know firsthand what it takes to compete at the highest level of football and what that platform can mean for a young athlete's life. Moving Sacramento State to the FBS isn't just about football — it's about raising standards, creating opportunity, and giving our student-athletes national exposure right here at home. Sacramento has always had NFL-caliber talent, passion, and pride. This move signals that we're ready to step onto the biggest stage in college football and show the country what our university and our region are capable of."
– Rick Jennings, Sacramento City Councilmember and former NFL player

"If Sacramento State had been FBS when I was coming out of high school, I would have seriously considered staying home. This move keeps elite football in our region, and gives local student-athletes the chance to compete at the highest level in front of their families, friends and local community. Our Family is proud to support the next generation of athletes and football players at Sacramento State."
– Arik Armstead, Jacksonville Jaguar & Sacramento area native

"Sacramento State's transition to the Football Bowl Subdivision is an exciting development for our region. The move further strengthens Sacramento's sports landscape and reinforces the city's position as a leading sports market."
– Matina Kolokotronis, Chief Operating Officer, Sacramento Kings

Well, we could always add WESTERN Kentucky!

Paul George went to Fresno State and is from LA. Doubt it is him.

Upon further review in the booth, it's Shaq that is being credited with writing the checks. Good catch!

I've not seen any report about an Exit fee. Isn't it customary that teams leaving a conference pay a fee to the other teams to do so? I'm just wondering if there's a chance the reported $18M ends up being more if there's an early exit. I 100% think this is a cash grab, and I honestly don't mind it.

Just read that Sac State signed a NIL contract with several local casinos for $15 million. I didn't think that universities were supposed to be directly involved in NIL payments. This is all so confusing.

But, $6 Million is being paid, up front, this year. Where is that money coming from? This is accounting sleight of hand. The private funding of the basketball program is apparently allowing them to use other athletic department funds for the $6 Million that they have promised to pay the MAC this year. And, I'm not sure when or how they pay the NCAA that cool $5 Million owed them.

The Athletic Department just announced in a email:

"Season ticket renewals will launch this week, the MAC will release our 2026 football schedule at the end of February/beginning of March, and before you know it, we’ll be back in Peden Stadium for Coach Hauser’s first season at the helm of our Bobcats."

Needless to say, there probably isn't time to attempt to move a whole bunch of games. I except an undesirable solution with a lot of fan screaming about it. My personal expectation is deletion of using the bye the week prior to a team starting MACtion. I expect to see multiple teams playing a Sat/Thur/Tue or Wed sequence and several teams forced to play on Thur. Oct 29 to again play on Tues. Nov 3. I doubt ESPN will allow the MAC to not play on Nov 3rd or anything like that. Then there are BYE weeks for everyone throughout the conference season.

I’m guessing Sacramento State is already better than UMass. They will not be a cupcake.

You're reading way too far into this. Sac St was desperate to establish themselves in FBS as quickly as possible. The MAC gave them an insane "this is what it will take offer" and they accepted it. It's only for 5 years and I'll be surprised it lasts any longer.

And all that is a good thing. Why do you want to place our flag out west? Conferences are about a shared identity, history, and regional rivalries with neighbors. How is playing Eastern Washington every couple of years exciting to you? I can handle this for what it is, a 5 year cash grab, but it should not be any type of vision for the conference.

Why plant our flag out west? Because the MAC is long overdue to adapt and change with the times. I hope you've noticed that everyone else (especially in the G6) is changing with the times. Everyone else is changing the look of their respective conference. What are we doing? Just trying to get by.

I'm taking a wait and see approach to this. By Year 3, 2028, if the MAC doesn't even try to go out west again for expansion, then this is confirmed to be a cash grab and a bust. Also, confirmation that the MAC has no real plan in place to develop as a conference.

Maybe we lean into this situation and collect $18MM every year from FCS schools with delusions of grandeur.