Usachi
Amid a recent wave of realignment, the seven remaining full-time members of the Mountain West have signed a memorandum of understanding to remain in the league through 2032, the league announced Thursday. That includes UNLV and Air Force, both of which were top expansion candidates in other conferences but intend to remain in the MWC.
“Our immediate priority has been to solidify the Mountain West membership,” Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement released by the school. “Our focus now is on our student-athletes. He is well-suited for the future of a group that represents the world.” “The agreement announced today marks a historic moment for the Mountain West and provides much-needed stability and clarity as the world of intercollegiate athletics continues to rapidly evolve. We are excited to take the next steps toward expanding the Mountain West.”We will continue to prioritize the student-athlete experience and compete at the highest level of intercollegiate athletics competition. We will do everything we can to support our educational institutions. ”
The Mountain West plans to pay UNLV and Air Force at least $25 million in bonuses to each school to remain in the conference, a person familiar with the decision told CBS Sports’ Brandon Marcello. This bonus is due to Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State, Fresno State, and San Diego State each revoking their Mountain West entitlements to allow them to join the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026. The project will be funded by more than $17 million in funding. .
The league announced the distribution payment percentages for all seven schools. Air Force and UNLV will be at 24.5%, Nevada, New Mexico, San Jose and Wyoming will be at 11.5%, and Hawaii will be at 5%.
While UNLV reaffirmed its commitment to the Mountain West, the school also declared its ambitions to one day join a Power Four conference.
“After thoroughly evaluating all options, the best option for UNLV at this time is to remain a member of the Mountain West,” UNLV athletic director Eric Harper said in a statement released by the school. said. “We are a charter member of the conference and have had great experiences throughout its history and are excited to continue moving forward. The league is a genuine brand and an established product. Revenue Growth is an important factor as we continue to look ahead and improve our standing as an athletics department in pursuit of our future goal of participating in the Power Four Conference. It also gives you the flexibility you need.”
The MWC currently consists of seven soccer member nations, including Hawaii. To be recognized as a conference by the NCAA, a minimum requirement of eight full members must be reached. That’s a key difference in qualifying for one of the five automatic spots in the 12-team College Football Playoff field.