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The SBC is locked in to a deal with ESPN that runs through 2021.Īll four teams bring varied levels of success, but no new member has had more historic success than Marshall. The SBC’s television contract with ESPN was a key factor for teams to join the conference. “We have demonstrated an increased ability to succeed at the national level, and this move to the Sun Belt further enhances that to an even greater degree as we move forward.” “Our department has achieved at a tremendously high level over the last seven years and even further throughout our entire history,” said Jeff Bourne, athletic director of JMU. Their football program will make the leap from the championship subdivision (FCS) to the bowl subdivision (FBS). James Madison will depart from the Colonial Athletics Association to join the SBC. It is the only school to win a Division-I championship while in the Sun Belt. Old Dominion was a member of the conference originally from 1982 through 1991. They are a part of nine teams who chose to depart from C-USA. Southern Miss, ODU and Marshall all left Conference USA to join the SBC. However, he later stated the conference would consider adding teams to the conference. Sun Belt commissioner Keith Gill originally stated he was satisfied with the current structure of the conference. These programs want better television deals and the opportunity to play ranked opponents within their conference. Also, it is the only conference with multiple members who have won a football national championship in the same timeframe.įollowing this, teams across the nation announced they would abandon their current conferences for new opportunities. Since the playoff format was introduced in 2014 the SEC has produced the most national championships. The two schools left to face the superior competition for football in the SEC. The realignment frenzy first started on July 30 when Texas and Oklahoma announced they would be joining the Southeastern Conference. “There is no question that ULM is uniquely positioned to grow and experience unprecedented success in an elite conference with great competitors.” “As one of the strongest Group of Five conferences in football, these new additions will only further cement Sun Belt schools as a destination for recruits, student-athletes and supporters,” McDonald said. The arrival of new teams has athletic director Scott McDonald excited and optimistic for ULM’s future in the SBC. The expansion brings a new level of opportunity for all schools in the conference. All but two members, UT Arlington and Little Rock, have football programs. Their arrival increases the SBC to 14 members. Southern Mississippi, Marshall, Old Dominion and James Madison all accepted their bids to join the conference no later than July 1, 2023. The nationwide conference realignment that has shaken the entire NCAA has brought four new teams to the SBC. Change is on the horizon for the Sun Belt Conference.