Why is playing on the east coast and south a bad thing. Last time I checked that is the most relevant region for college football. Sorry but the west coast is becoming less and less relevant in college football. I’ve lived in Texas and in Southern California and it’s not even close.
And the finance argument is short sighted. How about this equation:
AAC = more wins = invitations to the playoffs = more relevancy = better recruiting = more wins. Repeat, repeat, repeat = more money long term.
Compare that to 7-9 wins per year in independence = who cares after loss #1 = less relevancy = less money long term.