The AAC is determined to remain the top Group of Five conference and keep pushing to be considered a Power Five conference. If doing that financially (getting a P5 media deal) isn’t possible, and it isn’t at the moment, then you need to do it through perception. Once you change that perception, then you can start getting P5 money and influence.
The AAC has changed the perception of the conference over the last decade by winning on the field. Winning in the NFL Draft matters too, though. Having a high profile pick, or picks, gets the conference into the conversation nationally.