The American Athletic Conference has been pushing the narrative that the league should be considered as one of the so-called 'power' conferences for almost a year now. The league has even gone so far as to push a Power 6 initiative, stating the AAC should be included among the other autonomous conferences like the ACC, Big 12, Big Ten, Pac-12 and SEC.
As part of that narrative, the American released a comprehensive strategic plan Monday, which outlines what the league believes it needs to do to achieve elite status in college athletics. The report was put together with the help of the Wasserman Media Group, which deals in sports marketing and management.
"This plan is designed to be a dynamic, working document which identifies a core philosophy and which will guide us over the next several critical years, where opportunities await," AAC commissioner Mike Aresco says in a statement attached to the plan. "This plan will support and inform our mission to be and to remain a respected Power 6 Conference whose student-athletes compete at the highest level."
The plan cites five 'pillars' that the league will use as a model based on student health and well-being; academics; athletic excellence; branding and public relations and revenue generation.
In athletic excellence for example, the plan includes a 52-point strategy for various sports like football, basketball and Olympic sports.
In football, the strategy includes:
_scheduling the 'top teams' in the country
_average attendance of 70-80 percent stadium capacity
_College Football Playoff contender
_one top 10 team
_New Year's Six bowl game
_2-to-4 top 25 teams
_television ratings in the area of autonomous conferences
Most of the strategies will take place within the conference or league schools specifically targeting things like branding and marketing.
