NEWSLETTER
MACtion is embodies the essence of football in that on any given day, any team can beat another.
And I mean that in the most literal sense, too.
The Mid-American Conference plays games on virtually every day of the week. And because of that, the MAC brand is strong with football fans. Say what you want about the level of competition. MACtion often provides close games, fun finishes, and memorable moments that are more enjoyable than much of TV’s alternative programming on a random weeknight.
Unfortunately, MACtion has been canceled:
— #MACtion (@MACSports) August 8, 2020
The Mid-American Conference has postponed its 2020 fall sports calendar, citing health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. And by doing so, the MAC became the first FBS conference to cancel football season. This decision doesn’t just impact football. Men’s and women’s cross country, men’s and women’s soccer, women’s volleyball, and field hockey had seasons cut, too.
Moreover, there are money matters at play. Stadium’s Brett McMurphy reports the MAC took a big financial hit when Power 5 conferences (Big Ten, ACC, SEC, Pac-12, Big 12) trimmed non-conference games from their schedules. For example, the MAC lost an estimated $10.5 million when the Big Ten eliminated non-conference games. That’s major.
Now, will power conference schools follow? The ACC, Big Ten, Pac-12, and SEC have unveiled schedules that tentatively start in September. This leaves the Big 12 as the only straggler in the bunch. It’s not out of the question that Power 5 schools could follow suit. Let’s be honest. College sports aren’t best equipped to play through a pandemic. There is no all-powerful governing body who can implement a ruling one way or another. And there is no authority representing student-athletes. In other words, this is chaos waiting to unfold.
