I know its not that easy.... but it's hard to not look at that when deciding who gets added to a conference & who doesn't.
Lets take Loyola-CHI for example... last 4 seasons there's been an NCAA Tourney (prior to 2023, their first year in the A10) they made it 3 times. 2 of those 3 they made at least the Sweet 16, 1 of those was a trip to the Final 4.
Our final 4 run.... which we followed up with another CAA Champ. & made the NCAA Tourney & came very close to making the Sweet 16 for the 2nd year in a row..... not to mention the extreme increase in donations & season ticket requests.... made us look extremely attractive to the A10.... I can all but guarantee that played a HUGE factor in us getting here.
I'd be willing to bet Loyola-Chicago's recent success from 2018-22 gave them increases in ticket sales, donations etc.... and I'm sure their recent history of success played a vital part in the A10 looking to add them. As well as having another major city like Chicago as part of the A10.