Army Football: AD Mike Buddie Talks AAC Move
-> Buddie also reference multiple times in the call that the current College Football Playoff model, which includes a
favorable revenue distribution to teams in an FBS conference, played a role in the decision. <-
-> Another major factor in the decision was the input of 19 football players who are on head coach Jeff Monken's leadership council. These players indicated the opportunity to earn All-Conference honors and and the opportunity to win a conference championship were highly appealing to them. Namely, a much more plausible path to the College Football Playoff. "Kids who play football for the United States Military Academy want to play for the best possible outcomes that they can. Going 11-2 in the American and playing for a championship, starting in 2024, likely puts you as one of the 12 teams in the College Football Playoff." <-
-> The Black Knights were sought as a replacement for the SMU Mustangs, who will join the ACC in 2024. Army will enter the conference with a revenue share reduced from what full-football members of the conference receive. However, Buddie assured members of the media that on Day One of the football program's membership, Army will have a significant increase in finances, but did not go into specifics. By 2032, Army will have a full revenue share from the AAC. <-