The Big East is actively recruiting a football affiliate in the West and they would love to have Air Force. The Falcons would certainly pull their own weight in the Big East television contract as the Academy has a national following and brand appeal but would they do it?
Pro's for going to the Big East
Increase in television money. The MWC's tv deals have been notoriously bad. While the Big East certainly is not going to bring in Big Ten dollars the Big East will earn them considerably more than they are making now.
Increase in exposure. MWC games are notoriously hard to find on television unless you subscribe to the mtn. which is only available out west. The Big East, regardless of who they ink a tv contract with, will give Air Force exposure throughout the country. Also, membership in this now nationwide conference would give Air Force away games all over the country thus allowing more former airmen and their families the opportunity to see their team live and in person.
Insuring that the Air Force-Navy is preserved. Several months ago Navy was posturing, claiming that the OOC rivalry games that were most important for them to preserve once they went to the BE were Army and Notre Dame. Air Force was the one glaring omission to that list. If they were conference mates Air Force would be guaranteed a game with the Midshipmen on an annual basis.
The WCC offers a very favorable home for Olympic sports. Army and Navy park their other sports in an elite small private school league so why shouldn't Air Force? Air Force would be more likely to compete for conference crowns in a lower profile conference. They would also be reunited with an old friend: BYU.
Even if the Big East thing doesn't work out long term the MWC will definitely take you back. I have no doubt the this conference would soon forgive its wayward upwardly mobile members from betraying the league because their return would raise the MWC profile and put money in its coffers.
If they don't go to the Big East with San Diego St and Boise St there is a good chance another MWC member (UNLV? Fresno St?) will go instead.
Con's for going to the Big East
They would be leaving a stable conference for an unstable conference. The MWC, while not the sexiest in its newest configuration, is not going to collapse. The Big East is comparable to a house of cards--remove the right school and the whole thing falls apart. The conference also has a number of clear flight risks--Louisville, UConn, and Rutgers.
Increased travel expenditures. Joining the Big East would mean probably mean 2 flights a year east of the Mississippi for conference games. Add a third trip in there every other year when they play Army at West Point.
Another looming concern is whether or not Air Force be competitive in the Big East. They do just fine in the MWC but the BE competition will be slightly harder. The last thing Air Force wants to do is become a perrenial cellar dweller.
What does the Big East really offer them? The BE was effectively stripped of its elite status during the playoff negotiations so as far as post season access is involved their position at best would only be modestly improves.
There will probably be financial implications if Air Force ever decides it wants to leave.
This conference is notorious for being a basketball first league and the 8 Catholic basketball schools in the Big East are never going to allow football to reign supreme. In the MWC AFA has an equal stake in conference decision making; as a BE affiliate they would effectively be handing over control of football decisions to the likes of Notre Dame, Providence, and DePaul.
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