The Pac-12 has dwindled to the Pac-2 as teams like Utah and Washington have left for other Power Five conferences. Rather than dissolving, the conference has announced a pivot: late-night football will return in two seasons with four teams that have created significant memories in college sports. Boise State, Colorado State, San Diego State, and Fresno State will join the Pac-12 in the 2026-2027 season.
These schools are currently part of the Mountain West Conference (MWC), and the conference bylaws require them to pay $18 million if they leave within two years. If any of these schools had waited until next year to announce their departure, the amount would have doubled to $36 million.
San Diego State, a founding member of the MWC 26 years ago, is adapting to the evolving landscape of college sports, according to their athletic director, John David Wicker.
“While we are grateful to be a founding member of the Mountain West with 26 years of success in the conference, we are excited at what lies ahead with these opportunities,” Wicker said in a statement late Wednesday night.
Pac-12 Commissioner Teresa Gould also released a statement expressing her excitement about the new additions to the conference.
“For over a century, the Pac-12 Conference has been recognized as a leading brand in intercollegiate athletics,” Gould said. “We will continue to pursue bold, cutting-edge opportunities for growth and progress to best serve our member institutions and student-athletes. I am thankful to our board for their efforts to welcome Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University to the conference. An exciting era for the Pac-12 Conference begins today.”
Mountain West Conference Commissioner Gloria Nevarez released a statement late Wednesday in response to the news.
“The Mountain West Conference is aware of media reports regarding the potential departure of several of our members, and we will have more to say in the days ahead,” Nevarez stated. “All members will be held to the Conference bylaws and policies should they elect to depart. The requirements of the scheduling agreement will apply to the Pac-12 should they admit Mountain West members. Our Board of Directors is meeting to determine our next steps. The Mountain West has a proud 25-year history and will continue to thrive in the years ahead.”
A new day is ahead for the Pac-12 Conference, and late-night football will be back very soon.
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