The Sun Belt Conference announced this month former WAC commissioner, Karl Benson, as its new commissioner.

He replaces retiring commissioner Wright Water who served the conference for the last 12 years.

ULM Athletic Director Bobby Staub said he was looking forward to working with Benson because of his experience dealing with the BCS conferences.

“That kind of experience lends itself well to the Sun Belt Conference and what we’re trying to do,” Staub said.

He said, “He brings a wealth of knowledge, and if he advances the Sun Belt, it helps ULM.”

At his press conference Benson hinted into expanding conference membership.

Benson said with football members, there was “an advantage to getting to at least 12.”

Benson said that any schools involved in an expansion must be in the Sun Belt’s footprint, which includes the southeast and part of the southwest.

However, Benson did not address merging with the WAC.

If the Sun Belt and WAC combined, ULM would be reunited with its rival Louisiana Tech.

Staub said, “I don’t want to get that far down the road. Anytime you can condense your footprint with institutions around you, the better; whether that pertains to them or anybody else.”

He said, “It breeds that kind of rivalry and competition we all want. The next two months will be telling, and who knows what will happen?”

Aside from increasing membership, Benson plans to explore obtaining a third bowl game, increasing revenues and increasing exposure.

The new commissioner will assume full control of the conference in July.