Yep. The #1 factor is athletic budget. Media markets are a lame excuse for schools that got left behind.
Here is the timeline. Charlotte got invited on the same day we did.
1. OUT: Houston, Memphis, SMU, UCF
2. IN: Charlotte, FIU, Louisiana Tech, North Texas, UTSA
3. IN: Old Dominion
4. OUT: Tulane, East Carolina
5. IN: Florida Atlantic, Middle Tennessee
6. OUT: Tulsa
7. IN: WKU
Charlotte was a charter member of C-USA, and have you seen Charlotte's facilities? Wow! Charlotte had a $20K+ athletic budget before they even added football.