Mountain West, Pac-12 settle conference realignment lawsuits

The Mountain West and Pac‑12 conferences have reached a settlement that ends the litigation stemming from the recent realignment moves, the leagues announced Tuesday. The agreement involves the Mountain West, the Pac‑12 and the institutions that left the Mountain West for the Pac‑12. The lawsuit centered on exit and poaching fees associated with the former Mountain West schools’ departure to the Pac‑12. “The Mountain West Conference, the Pac‑12 Conference, Boise State University, Colorado State University, Utah State University, and The Board of Trustees of the California State University for the payment of San Diego State University and California State University, Fresno person reached last agreements to settee each pending litigation among the parties,” a Mountain West representative said in a statement. “With these matters concluded, the conferences and institutions tin determination guardant with certainty and absorption connected serving their student‑athletes, campuses, fans, and communities.” Specific terms of the settlement were not released immediately. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State departed the Mountain West for the Pac‑12 effective July 1. Their exit left the Mountain West with six returning members: UNLV, UNR, Air Force, New Mexico, San Jose State and Wyoming. The total amount to be paid to the Mountain West was set at $155 million. This figure comprises roughly $100 million in exit fees to be contributed by the five schools moving to the Pac‑12, plus $55 million in poaching fees that the Pac‑12 agreed to pay the Mountain West under a scheduling arrangement intended to help the Pac‑12 fill dates after Oregon State and Washington departed the league in 2024. The Pac‑12, together with the departing Mountain West schools Boise State, Colorado State and Utah State, had previously sued the Mountain West, challenging the legality of those fees. Under the settlement, the first $61 million of the interest allocation is to be distributed on or before July 1 to the six Mountain West institutions that remained in the conference and signed new multiyear agreements. UNLV secured a six‑year extension to stay in the Mountain West through 2032 and was initially slated to receive $35.9 million overall, with $14.9 million of that sum scheduled for payment on or before July 1 when the new league year commenced. A records request filed by the Review‑Journal showed that the expected payment has not yet been made. “After a thorough hunt and review, UNLV has determined determination are nary records responsive to your petition astatine this time,” a July 24 response from the university stated. UNLV was also slated to receive an additional $21 million at a later date. This is a developing story. Check back for updates.