How does 16 make any sense for both leagues? I don't see it.
Neither conference has their own tv network promising millions upon millions upon even more millions that's 100% invested in the conference to ensure its long-term success if they expand into new markets.
A 16-team MW would be essentially the same as the 16-team WAC, which is now extinct as far as football goes.
I don't think SMU or Houston will switch to the MW as both appear to be committed to the Big East.
If Thompson can't lure SMU and Houston, how does he get to 16 members?
It's just a matter of time before Tulsa joins SMU and Houston.
Thompson has made it clear that the MW wants nothing to do with NM State or Idaho.
If Montana and Montana State move up, they wouldn't add any value to the MW either.
North Texas, Rice, UTSA, and UTEP? Is gaining the Texas market really worth eliminating rivalries and diluting their product that much? Would that earn the MW a significantly larger tv contract? I doubt it.
A 16-team conference really isn't a conference. It becomes an association because teams wouldn't ever really play against almost an entire half of the association. That's what destroyed the 16-team WAC.
Now how would the Big East get to 16 members if the MW gets to 16 members?
UConn and Cincinnati will be gone soon.
Too many schools would be blocked by Big East members in their respective states.
After that, there just aren't enough teams that would bring enough value to justify expanding that large.