• Loading stock data...
Wednesday, June 25, 2025

C-USA Facing Legal Fight With Departing Schools As TV Deal Looms

  • On Feb. 11, Southern Miss, ODU, and Marshall confirmed publicly they would leave Conference USA by June 30.
  • The conference has since announced plans to pursue legal action to keep the schools around for another season.
(Conference-USA-Marshall-Old-Dominion)
Ben Queen-USA TODAY/Design: Alex Brooks

Complications stemming from last year’s round of conference realignment are beginning to materialize. Conference USA could face a major legal battle with three of its outgoing schools.

It all started last fall, when Marshall, Old Dominion, and Southern Miss announced they’d accepted bids to join the Sun Belt Conference and leave Conference USA.

Beginning in December, the schools had attempted to negotiate an “amicable” split after the 2022 season, per a Southern Miss statement. On Feb. 11, the schools confirmed publicly they would leave on June 30.

The schools are obligated to pay $3 million each in exit fees, which they have agreed to do, according to Sports Illustrated. The problem? Conference USA’s bylaws reportedly state that schools must give 14 months notice before they depart.

In response, Conference USA released a schedule for 2022-23 with the three schools on it, along with a threat: It will “exhaust all necessary legal actions to ensure all members meet their contractual obligations.”

Media Rights Battle

Maintaining media rights revenue may be a motivating factor for engaging in what could be an expensive fight.

  • Conference USA has a television deal with CBS that expires after the 2022-23 season.
  • It reported about $6.4 million in total television and marketing revenue on 2019 tax returns.

The conference will also lose six other schools to the American Athletic Conference, likely by the 2023-24 season.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Dec 31, 2024; Orlando, FL, USA; South Carolina Gamecocks quarterback LaNorris Sellers (16) before the play call against the Illinois Fighting Illini in the fourth quarter at Camping World Stadium.

College QBs Are the Newest VC Investors

Three Division I quarterbacks are investing in a venture fund.

Pac-12 Still Playing Conference Tetris As Realignment Heats Up

Sacramento State is leaving the Big Sky for the Big West.
Jun 16, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks starting pitcher Gage Wood (14) celebrates completing a no hitter against the Murray State Racers at Charles Schwab Field.

College World Series Enters Cinderella Era

A series of upsets gives the fast-growing event a new look this year.
Mar 30, 2025; Spokane, WA, USA; LSU Lady Tigers guard Flau'Jae Johnson (4) shoots against UCLA Bruins center Lauren Betts (51) during the second half of a Elite 8 NCAA Tournament basketball game at Spokane Arena.

Louisiana Sports Betting Set to Aid LSU and Other State Schools

Louisiana lawmakers have been creative in finding state money for NIL.

Featured Today

Mar 15, 2025; Fort Worth, TX, USA; UAB Blazers forward Yaxel Lendeborg (3) dribbles the ball upcourt against the North Texas Mean Green during the first half at Dickies Arena

NIL Is Shrinking the Pool of NBA Draft Entrants

Agents are now advising many players to stay in school.
Apr 24, 2025; Green Bay, WI, USA; Penn State Nittany Lions defensive end Abdul Carter on the red carpet before the 2025 NFL Draft at Lambeau Field
June 21, 2025

‘More Is More’: The Elite Luxury Jewelers Decking Out Athletes

Meet the elite group of luxury designers crafting the biggest statement pieces.
Dec 5, 2024; Miami, FL, USA; FIFA president Gianni Infantino presents the FIFA Club World Cup trophy during the Club Word Cup draw at Telemundo Studios.
June 15, 2025

Revamped Club World Cup Is FIFA’s Billion-Dollar Gamble

The revamped soccer event debuts amid controversy.
Jun 10, 2025; Nashville, Tennessee, USA; United States head coach Mauricio Pochettino stands during the anthem against the Switzerland during the first at Geodis Park
June 14, 2025

Gold Cup Is Complicated for USMNT—but U.S. Soccer Has Its Eyes on..

Uncertain tournament success isn’t fazing forward-looking U.S. soccer.

Colleges Are Raising Student Fees to Pay for Athlete Revenue-Sharing

Schools are preparing to pay student athletes up to $20.5 million annually.
Wisconsin cornerback Xavier Lucas (6) is shown during the first quarter of their game against South Dakota Saturday, September 7 , 2024 at Camp Randall Stadium in Madison, Wisconsin.
June 20, 2025

Wisconsin Sues Miami for ‘Tampering’ With Football Transfer

Xavier Lucas signed NIL deals in Madison before transferring to Miami.
Dec 27, 2024; San Diego, CA, USA; The Washington State Cougars ban perform during the second half at the Holiday Bowl at Snapdragon Stadium. Mandatory Credit:
June 23, 2025

Pac-12 Announces CBS As ‘Anchor’ in New Media-Rights Deal

The league may announce expansion before finalizing the rest of the package.
Sponsored

Hottest Matchups Following NFL Schedule Release

The NFL released the 2025 regular-season schedule, and anticipation is already building in the ticket marketplace with four months to go.
June 19, 2025

Omaha Delivers Again: LSU, Coastal Carolina Set for CWS Showdown

LSU and Coastal Carolina begin their three-game series Saturday.
Washington's Ben Gorsage, right, and Orland Park Sandburg's Mateo Ramiro-Garcia tangle at the start of the Class 3A state 800-meter run Saturday, May 31, 2025 at Eastern Illinois University in Charleston. Gorsage took third place, followed by Ramiro-Garcia in fourth.
June 19, 2025

Dozens of Olympic Sports Have Been Cut in Wake of House v...

Tennis, track and field, and swimming and diving appear heavily impacted.
Jun 14, 2025; Omaha, Neb, USA; LSU Tigers starting pitcher Kade Anderson (32) pitches against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the seventh inning at Charles Schwab Field.
June 16, 2025

How College Athlete Buyouts Could Work in the Revenue-Sharing Era

The buyouts could put both players and schools at a disadvantage.
Texas' Sam Hurley watches the announcement of the competitors in the high jump at the 2023 NCAA outdoor track and field championships, June 9, 2023 at Mike A. Myers Stadium in Austin, Texas.
June 16, 2025

Revenue-Sharing Model Could Boost Programs in Football’s Shadow

“We’re not getting paid the millions of dollars that football is.”