Conference Realignment: Court Battle Looms in Complicated Saga

Last summer, the Pac-12 saw 10 of its member schools bolt for other conferences, resulting in a temporary two-team league. This fall, the Pac-12 has been the aggressor and is now taking legal action to ensure its survival and supremacy over other non–Power 4 conferences.

In the latest move of this already busy week, the Pac-12 sued the Mountain West over what would be at least $55 million in exit fees for five schools that have agreed to join the former. 

Here’s a recap of the biggest moments so far:

• The Pac-12 and Mountain West were left in limbo Monday night after neither could secure the proper commitments from programs they were fighting over.
• The American Athletic Conference thwarted an attempt by the Pac-12 to steal as many as four schools—Memphis, South Florida, Tulane, and UTSA—announcing Monday that all 15 league members were committed to the AAC.
• Two weeks ago, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State agreed to jump from the Mountain West to the Pac-12 in 2026. 
• In the Pac-12’s lawsuit filed Tuesday, the conference said Utah State has also agreed to leave the Mountain West.

Friends and Foes

The ensuing court battle will come after the breakdown of the Pac-12–Mountain West partnership that helped fill out the football schedules of Oregon State and Washington State this season and next.

Meanwhile, this latest round of realignment is impacting the future of the College Football Playoff, as five conference champions are guaranteed automatic bids in the new 12-team tournament, ensuring at least one non–Power 4 school will make it each year.