Ah, the Mid-American Conference (MAC)—a conference so irrelevant, you probably forgot it existed until you stumbled upon this article. But let's not mince words; it's high time we talk about why the MAC should be scrapped. Buckle up, because we're diving into the nitty-gritty of why this conference is more of a burden than a boon.
Financial Drain: The Money Pit No One Talks About
Let's start with the elephant in the room: money. Or rather, the lack of it. The MAC is like that friend who never picks up the tab but still wants to hang out at the most expensive bars. With pitiful TV contracts and attendance numbers that make a high school football game look like the Super Bowl, it's a financial black hole for member schools.
The Revolving Door of Mediocrity
Oh, you've got a good coach? Great, he'll be gone in a year, poached by a conference people actually care about. The MAC is a revolving door of mediocrity, where talent comes to die or, if it's lucky, escape to greener pastures. This isn't a conference; it's a halfway house for aspiring athletes and coaches.
Student-Athletes or Lab Rats?
Let's talk about the so-called "student-athlete experience" in the MAC. Long bus rides, subpar facilities, and a schedule that would make even a seasoned roadie wince. Are we preparing these young men and women for a future in sports, or are we just using them as lab rats in an experiment on how much one can endure?
The Ghost Town Stadiums
Ever been to a MAC game? No? Don't worry, you're not alone. The stadiums are ghost towns, and the fans that do show up are usually family members obligated to be there. Where's the excitement? Where's the passion? Spoiler alert: It's not in the MAC.
Time for a MAC-tastrophe: The Alternatives
So what's the solution? Scrap it. Let these schools find homes in conferences that offer more than a one-way ticket to Obscurityville. Whether it's joining another conference or even dropping down a division, anything is better than the MAC's perpetual cycle of irrelevance.
If you think this is a one-off rant, think again. For more eye-opening takes on college athletics, check out The Real Cost of College Sports.
