JMU Wants the AAC?! Not So Fast… | Sun Belt Podcast

JMU eyes a leap to the American Athletic Conference—but is chasing bigger TV revenue worth the risk? Dave Schultz explores James Madison University's bold overtures to the AAC, the swirling conference realignment rumors, and what it means for programs across the Sun Belt and beyond. From Miami (OH) dangling $30-40 million for a move, to the financial gap between the AAC and leagues like the MAC and Conference USA, the stakes have never been higher for schools hoping to secure their athletic futures. Schultz compares JMU’s ambitions to the pitfalls faced by Rutgers, questions whether Memphis and Tulane could soon exit the AAC for the Big 12, and evaluates what’s next if G6 programs make the first move. Can the Sun Belt remain competitive amid shifting alliances and expanding media deals? Plus, Schultz weighs in on Lane Kiffin’s SEC complaints, the importance of regional rivalries, and what JMU must do to become a true powerhouse.