Sacramento State’s Risky MAC Move Explained

Sacramento State Football's move to the FBS and MAC is final.

There have been a lot of opinions online, and most of them are negative, at least on my timeline. People are criticizing Sac State's decision for several reasons.

Sac State is spending $25 million "for a temporary agreement to join FBS," per Ross Dellenger.
Sac State has to cover the "air travel costs of visiting MAC teams," per Ross Dellenger.
The closest MAC school is 2,200 miles from Sacramento.
Sac State President Luke Wood says there will be a nearly $1 billion local impact.

I don't have all the answers on whether or not it will work, if Sac State will end up in the PAC-12 or Mountain West, or if it will blow up in their face, but I'm going to share my thoughts anyway.

Sac State pays $25 million for the leap

To me, that seems like an insane amount of money to move to the MAC. Will it be a lot of money in 5 years when they attempt a leap to the Mountain West or PAC? I don't know, but it feels like an astronomically high price for the MAC. No offense to the MAC - I love the MAC.

Sac State covers air travel costs

You can't convince me this is good for Sac State.

Bottom line.

Sac State's proximity to the MAC

You can't convince me this is beneficial for Sac State. It wouldn't be a good idea for the rest of the MAC either, but Sac State is paying for all the travel. Woof.

Sacramento's local economic impact

As to the numbers provided by Dr. Wood... I have no clue if those are accurate or not. They seem high to me, but I have no idea.

In conclusion, Sacramento State to the MAC is a stretch, and that's putting it mildly. If it's all a ploy for the PAC-12 or Mountain West, fine. But for now, it makes little logical sense.

In all sincerity, good luck to the Hornets. I hope Sacramento succeeds and shows the Big Sky to the FBS is a smart idea.