Four schools from the Mountain West Conference, including San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, and Fresno State, are expected to announce their departure to join the Pac-12 by the 2026-27 academic year. This move comes after the Pac-12 lost 10 schools last summer, leaving only Oregon State and Washington State in the conference. The departing schools will need to pay roughly $18 million as an exit fee, which the Pac-12 is expected to help with using withheld media rights distributions fees. The Pac-12 may also face additional poaching fees outlined in a scheduling agreement with the Mountain West.
Once the four schools officially join, the Pac-12 will need two more schools to meet NCAA requirements by July 2026. This shift could impact the College Football Playoff format, as the Pac-12 champion will become eligible for an automatic qualifying spot starting in 2026. The Pac-12’s expansion may have a geographic advantage, but it will weaken the Mountain West Conference, which could lead to further realignment in college athletics.
Negotiations between the Pac-12 and Mountain West broke down earlier this month, leading to the current situation. The Pac-12’s board is expected to approve the membership applications soon, with a finalized deal potentially coming by the end of the week. This move is significant for both conferences and could trigger additional changes in the college sports landscape.
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