I don't think you want to use them as a good example.

https://www.texastribune.org/2015/09/03/quest-top-tier-u-houston-spends-big-athletics/

Their situation is actually an argument against the AAC. They are subsidizing their athletic programs in order to hopefully make the jump to a P5 conference. They want out and are going to try and spend their way there. I don't think their approach will work, we'll see.

The actions Houston is taking will not help in any way position Houston for the future,” said a Big 12 source. “In fact, just the opposite. Today and the way this was handled only reeks of desperation. Obviously there was no studying of those who built programs for the future the right way.