Sacramento State Applies for Waiver to Transition to FBS

Sacramento State will file an application with the NCAA this week to depart college football’s subdivision and become an independent in the bowl subdivision. 

The news, which was first reported by ESPN, comes as the school continues to try and capitalize on its top-20 media market, which recently included the hiring of Kings legend Mike Bibby as the school’s new basketball coach. 

The move is the latest attempt by the school to one day join an FBS conference after previously lobbying to join the new-look Pac-12. Sacramento State is applying for a waiver because it doesn’t have an invite from a conference to facilitate the transition. 

The Hornets are not a powerhouse program. The team has made three playoff appearances while in the FCS and went 3–9 in 2024. In December, the team hired former UNLV offensive coordinator Brennan Marion as its next head coach after talking with NFL legend Michael Vick about the position. 

Sacramento State will play the 2025 football season in the Big Sky conference, but would join the FBS as an independent for the 2026 season, should the NCAA approve of its transition. If approved, the Hornets would be ineligible for the postseason in both 2025 and 2026, but would be bowl eligible for the 2027 season. 

Aside from NCAA approval, being in the FBS comes with certain requirements. FBS schools must sponsor a minimum of 16 sports, including football. FBS football teams must have at least 60% of their schedule be against fellow FBS teams, with a minimum of five. Football attendance must reach at least 15,000 fans in actual or paid attendance over a two-year period and provide at least 90% of the maximum number of football scholarships over a two-year period. FBS athletic departments must offer a minimum of 200 scholarships or spend at least $4 million on them. 

Sacramento State has no problem raising money, having amassed $35 million in name, image, and likeness (NIL) commitments this past fall when it sought admission into the Pac-12. The school also has plans for a new football stadium with 25,000 seating capacity, and has agreements with the Kings to play home games at the Golden 1 Center, should they reach the FBS level.