Several Schools Are Interested in Joining the Mountain West

In the next round of conference realignment, the Mountain West has options.

Several schools have expressed interest in joining the conference, including Sacramento State and New Mexico State, a source confirmed to Front Office Sports. The news comes one week after four Mountain West programs announced their intention to leave for the Pac-12.

In a statement to FOS last week about the Sac-12, the school did not directly address its intentions for conference movement. It’s unclear whether the Mountain West has mutual interest.

Last week, a group of local politicians and business leaders formed a committee called the “Sac-12” to propel the school into the FBS. On Wednesday, it announced additional members and a five-point plan to bolster the athletic department, including building a new basketball arena that seats at least 6,500 and a football stadium that seats 25,000, and securing $5.25 million in the necessary fees for jumping conferences. 

The Aggies football team recently joined Conference USA after being independent. But the school could be an easy institutional fit for the Mountain West if, of course, that isn’t an issue for the University of New Mexico, which is already in the Mountain West and has a say in the conference’s next slate of members. A representative for the New Mexico State athletic department did not immediately respond to an emailed request for comment. 

The Mountain West became the most recent victim of realignment last week, when the Pac-12 announced it would take Boise State, San Diego State, Fresno State, and Colorado State in 2026. That wave of realignment could continue, as the Pac-12 is still looking for at least two other FBS programs and has been rumored to have interest in UNLV. Meanwhile, the AAC has reportedly had discussions with Air Force. 

The Mountain West, led by commissioner Gloria Nevarez, isn’t in the worst position, however. It will receive $111 million in exit fees from departing schools and damages from the Pac-12, which it can use to entice new members or convince the old ones to stay.