• Loading stock data...
Friday, April 25, 2025

Wild Day of Realignment Talks Ends in Limbo for Mountain West, Pac-12

  • The Mountain West spent the day working on an agreement to get existing members to stay put.
  • But multiple outlets reported Utah State didn’t sign, casting doubt on the viability of the entire deal.
Utah State's football coach and a players.
Jamie Sabau-Imagn Images

On Sept. 12, just 11 days ago, the Pac-12 announced it would add four Mountain West schools—Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Colorado State—in 2026. 

On Monday, another round of realignment negotiations for the now-rivals of the Pac-12 and Mountain West heated up after four AAC schools announced they would stay put.

Throughout Monday, the Mountain West, led by commissioner Gloria Nevarez, was working to get all existing members to sign a written commitment to stay in the conference, a source confirmed to Front Office Sports. The league is offering financial incentives—dealing from a $111 million war chest of exit and damage fees—and hopes that the agreement will eventually turn into a formal grant of rights deal that will extend through the next College Football Playoff media agreement in 2031. 

But the conference did not end up making an announcement it hoped for Monday night. Instead, multiple outlets reported the Pac-12 was planning to take Utah State from the Mountain West. Other schools—including key member UNLV—decided not to sign the Mountain West’s agreement just yet. 

Earlier on Monday, the AAC announced Memphis, Tulane, UTSA, and USF would remain in the conference despite being courted by the Pac-12 and possibly others, and later suggested the rest of its schools had made the same commitment.

What’s Next?

If the Pac-12 gets Utah State, it would be one school shy from the NCAA-mandated magic number of eight FBS schools, a number that would ensure that the conference will live on—at least for now.

After finding another FBS member, the Pac-12 could turn to FCS schools with powerhouse football programs interested in jumping to the next level. The conference may also continue conversations with Gonzaga, which has not received a formal offer to join the conference but has been in discussions with the Pac-12 as a basketball member, another source told FOS. The Zags do not sponsor football.

In losing Utah State, the Mountain West’s exit and damage fees would increase to $140 million. The conference’s scheduling partnership with the Pac-12 requires significant damage fees to be paid out for each school taken from the Mountain West. After poaching five schools, the Pac-12 would owe the Mountain West $55 million, according to a copy of the agreement previously obtained by FOS. The conference would also receive around $17 million per school in exit fees.

The Mountain West would also need one more FBS-playing member to maintain its current status. The conference has received interest from several schools in both the FBS and FCS classifications, the first source previously told FOS.

Linkedin
Whatsapp
Copy Link
Link Copied
Link Copied

What to Read

Trump Defends Sanders After Snub: ‘What Is Wrong With NFL Owners?’

He said Shedeur Sanders has “phenomenal genes” and asked if owners are “stupid.”

Goodell: Three NFL Games Every Christmas Moving Forward

The league is returning to scheduling three games on the holiday this season.
Mar 28, 2025; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Kentucky Wildcats guard Lamont Butler (1) dribbles the ball against the Tennessee Volunteers in the first half during a Midwest Regional semifinal of the 2025 NCAA tournament at Lucas Oil Stadium.

College Sports Has Become a Billion-Dollar Business. Kentucky Is Embracing It

Kentucky said its LLC would operate similarly to two hospitals run by the university.
Dec 27, 2023; Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, USA; A close up view of New York Knicks forward Julius Randle (30) shoes during the second half against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Paycom Center.

Skechers Is Latest Company to Pull Guidance, Citing U.S. Tariffs

Skechers’s healthy international business will help it weather the effects of tariffs.

Featured Today

The Former NBA Agent Who Became a Pickleball Deputy Commissioner

Chris Patrick went from representing Jimmy Butler to pickleball deputy commissioner.
Apr 5, 2025; San Antonio, TX, USA; Duke Blue Devils forward Cooper Flagg (2) reacts after a three point basket against the Houston Cougars during the first half in the semifinals of the men's Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
April 21, 2025

Cooper Flagg’s Timing Is Perfect for the NBA and USA Basketball

The projected No. 1 pick just declared for the draft.
Apr 14, 2025; New York, New York, USA; Paige Bueckers is interviewed by ESPN after being selected with the number one overall pick to the Dallas Wings in the 2025 WNBA Draft at The Shed at Hudson Yards
April 21, 2025

ESPN’s WNBA Coverage Mirrors the League’s Stunning Growth

“I don’t think we stand still in our coverage of women’s sports,” says Rowe.
Mar 16, 2025; Milwaukee, Wisconsin, USA; Oklahoma City Thunder guard Shai Gilgeous-Alexander (2) celebrates with guard Isaiah Joe (11) after score in the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at Fiserv Forum.
April 20, 2025

Unorthodox OKC: The Thunder Redefined Tanking to Become NBA’s Best

A rebuild years in the making has OKC in the driver’s seat.
Ole Miss

Coach Yo: Women’s College Hoops Are ‘Pay for Play’

Ole Miss coach Yolett McPhee-McCuin built a top transfer class this offseason.
April 24, 2025

The House Settlement Is in Jeopardy. Here’s What It Will Take to..

The parties will try to salvage the settlement over the next two weeks.
Jan 21, 2025; Atlanta, GA, USA; College Football Playoff executive director Rich Clark speaks during the CFP National Championship Host Committee handoff press conference at The Westin Peachtree Plaza, Savannah Ballroom.
April 24, 2025

CFP Meetings End With No Major Changes to 12-Team Playoff—for Now

For now, the complicated seeding process will remain in place.
Sponsored

Game On: Portfolio Players Stories, Brought to You by E*TRADE from Morgan Stanley

This week, Two-time Super Bowl Champion and CBS NFL analyst Logan Ryan joins us to talk the business of sports on our third installment of Portfolio Players.
NC State women's cross country
April 23, 2025

Judge Threatens to Reject $2.8 Billion House v. NCAA Settlement

The NCAA and power conferences could end up at trial.
Dec 27, 2024; Memphis, TN, USA; Arkansas Razorbacks defensive back Miguel Mitchell (16) returns an interception during the forth quarter against the Texas Tech Red Raiders at Simmons Bank Liberty Stadium.
April 23, 2025

NIL Contract Buyouts Are More Common, but Can They Be Enforced?

The Arkansas collective has issued two demand letters to players to pay buyouts.
Flau'jae Johnson
exclusive
April 23, 2025

Flau’jae Johnson Says She Will Return to LSU

The transfer portal closed Wednesday.
Fordham
April 23, 2025

Fordham Hit With Rare NIL Era NCAA Sanctions

The Rams were hit with recruiting violations stemming from a Times Square photo shoot.