I don't have a problem with academies because they add large viewership, just that ECU should get the first invite and for all sports. The academies should get the same for all sports IMO.
As I said before... It is the Academies that dont want to be all sports. Navy has specifically said that they do not want to take their other sports out of the Patriot league and for Air Force it would cost too much. They would rather have their non-football teams in a local place. Its their choice, not a BE snub on them
I agree that ECU should be invited but with the politics, it will be hard to get them in because of academics...but a football only invite gets easier. Same is true for Temple. Nova does not want them as a full member...but moving Novas football up would take at least 2 years and they still wouldnt be compeititve. The tandem of having Nova as a full members without football and Temple as football only brings alot of fan support and demand to the Philly area. Both of those schools should get football only invites along with Air Force and Navy.
Another reason I like this, is in the future if issues still arise with the basketball teams and we do split, we can easily just move Temple and ECU up to full members, Its like stocking up for the future.
To me, the only full invite should be Houston. That football program is ready to take the next step and their basketball is about to make a comeback, plus we need more geographic parts that are out west. The Choices basically come down to Houston, SMU or Tulsa...and SMU/Tulsa are very small...and SMU is in a market already dominated be the BE