MWC talks football alliance with C-USA

University of Hawaii athletic director Jim Donovan said "we need more information, but I’m certainly intrigued" by the outline of a proposal for a football alliance between the Mountain West Conference and Conference USA.

Athletic directors of MWC and C-USA schools were briefed Monday in Dallas on a proposal designed to enhance TV rights, marketing and postseason championship opportunities for the two non-Bowl Championship Series automatic qualifying conferences.

C-USA commissioner Britton Banowsky told the Star-Advertiser, "I think it is premature to think in terms of next year (2012) for sure, but the following year (2013) is something that is possible, I think." Banowsky said, "I think it should take some form in the next month or two."

UH joins the MWC as a football-only member in 2012. A MWC spokesman declined immediate comment.

According to several independent studies, officials say they believe each of the members could increase their TV rights income by several fold if the conferences packaged their rights and marketing. MWC members currently receive approximately $1.5 million each per year.

Banowsky said joining forces would allow the alliance to sell a package for five time zones covering 18 states and four of the top 10 TV markets.

According to the outline of the plan, the schools would continue to schedule within their conferences, but the two champions would meet for a hoped-for automatic BCS berth.

As the automatic qualifying members move toward so-called super conferences, Donovan lauded "the vision of commissioners Craig Thompson (MWC) and Banowsky in being forward-thinking and proactive. I think we will continue to be what we are unless we strive to be something more."

Banowsky said the individual conferences "would retain their own identities and autonomy for their other sports. I know, for example, Hawaii will be in the Big West for their other sports."