1) It's not the same missionary tool it once was. With over 50% of the Church residing outside the USA, there's not nearly as much reach for a missionary message as a winning FB team had in the 80's when the US/non-US ratio was much different.

It's probably more important now than ever due to the population outpacing the growth of the church in the US (e.g. more opportunity), and the decline of church attendance of other faiths (e.g. more opportunity).

2) The main purpose of BYU (from the BOT's viewpoint) is to a) develop leadership in the Church, b) create an uplifting atmosphere of spiritual learning and secular education, c) three words: happy hunting grounds. In that regard, sports on the big time level is possibly a secondary concern. There may come a time when the risk/reward or even the hassle/reward ratio is out of whack. At that point, will dropping intermural sports be an option?

The main purpose of BYU is to be a shining light on the hill. There is a way to play by the rules, be frugal with resources, and develop amazing young men (and win). Further, church spokesmen have said there is no such thing as bad news. We'll take our lumps in bad seasons, but will share our successes as they come.

3) With an increasingly locked game, it seems like independence might just be a slow death. The P12 won't take us. The B12 won't take us. There's no future in the WAC or MWC and the AAC might be just too big a travel / logistics burden for the average college athlete.

You can have anything with money. I've heard this before. In the words of Peter, "we have sufficient for our needs".

4) A few seasons like we just had, with an abysmal W/L record, and a boring OCT-NOV home schedule, and it will be increasingly hard to lure top talent to BYU. Losing spectacular won't fulfill any mission of the Church.

many P5 teams can have just as boring of a Oct-Nov schedule. Besides, you can't look at past seasons where we were making last-minute deals to fill a schedule that teams typically have filled 5+ years in advance. Look at our future schedules, and may of them have great late season matchups.

Now I don't agree with everything he said

nor do I