Aldo Giovanni Amato

agamato@dnj.com

MURFREESBORO –Despite cutting positions and having to do belt-tightening at Conference USA headquarters, C-USA commissioner Judy MacLeod is optimistic about the direction the conference is heading.

MacLeod said the conference is trying out new things as it searches new revenue outlets.

Conference USA took an economic hit this summer when rights fees dropped by nearly $10 million. That means member schools such as MTSU will see just $200,000 each, down from $1.1 million.

The conference has tried new things by signing on with international TV carrier beIN Sports. The TV network began broadcasting American football games for the first time this season with Conference USA being the marquee conference.

Conference USA also had its first football game featured on Twitter through CampusInsiders.com.

“I think we’re in a position where we can take risks and try new things,” MacLeod told The Daily News Journal on Wednesday at Conference USA basketball media days. “I’m pleasantly surprised with beIN Sports and their production qualities, how they are doing on social media and over the air.

“Things are changing so rapidly that we want to try what we can and see what’s effective.”

Conference USA also launched CUSA.tv, an in-house digital network which offers daily, monthly and yearly subscription plans. Member schools are responsible for producing games and subscription revenue goes right back to the schools.

MacLeod said that process has gone well and that some schools, like MTSU, are doing better than others as far as production quality.

“Some schools have a lot more education programs that relate to (video production),” MacLeod said. “They are sort of ahead of the curve because they want students to do that.

“(MTSU) has done a great job.”

As far as conference realignment talk goes, MacLeod said she doesn't anticipate it dying down anytime soon and that C-USA will monitor the Big XII meetings next week.

The Big 12 is expected to make a decision regarding conference expansion which could affect Conference USA if teams are poached from the American Athletic Conference. That could create a domino effect in which the AAC takes teams from C-USA.

The Daily News Journal first reported in August that MTSU was one of the Conference USA schools that's reached out to the AAC expressing interest in joining if expansion happens.

“That (Big 12) meeting will do a lot toward what might happen,” MacLeod said. “The one thing we ask from our schools is to be open and honest with us.

“I don’t think we need to get into a vindictive, behind-the-back sort of thing because it’s not healthy for anyone. All we ask that when schools are in Conference USA, they support Conference USA. Because no one knows what the future is.”

Reach Aldo Amato at 615-278-5109 and on Twitter @Aldo_Amato.