Mountain West Conference Hits Pause on Expansion Amid Membership Shifts
Table of Contents
- 1. Mountain West Conference Hits Pause on Expansion Amid Membership Shifts
- 2. How does expansion directly influence the Mountain West Conference’s negotiating leverage with media partners?
- 3. Mountain West Reconsiders Expansion Amid Media Negotiations
- 4. The Shifting Landscape of College Athletics & Conference Realignment
- 5. Current Expansion Candidates & Their Appeal
- 6. The Media Rights Puzzle: What’s at Stake?
- 7. How Expansion Impacts Media negotiations
- 8. The pac-12’s Collapse: Lessons Learned
- 9. Potential Scenarios & Timelines
LAS VEGAS – The Mountain West Conference is halting further expansion plans as it navigates meaningful membership changes.
Commissioner Gloria Nevarez announced the decision Wednesday during the conference’s football media days. This pause comes as the conference prepares to welcome several new members and say goodbye to others.
Grand Canyon University will join the conference in most sports this year. Hawaii will become a full member in 2026, along with Texas-El Paso.
Northern Illinois will participate solely in football, while UC Davis will join as a non-football member.
though, five current mountain West members will depart for the Pac-12 Conference next year. These schools include Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah state.
The conference is currently involved in a legal dispute with the Pac-12 over poaching fees. mediation efforts have failed, leading both conferences back to court.
“We’re going to pause right now as far as additional membership,” Nevarez stated.”Never say never, but we realy want to get through our media rights negotiation, take a deep breath and then we’ll readdress the issue.”
Nevarez expressed optimism about announcing a new media deal in the near future.
Several other key points were also discussed.
The Mountain West will cover all costs associated with Grand Canyon’s early addition this year.
The conference headquarters will move from Colorado Springs,Colorado,to Las Vegas in July 2026. The Mountain West has been headquartered in Colorado Springs since its founding in 1999.
Additionally, nevarez indicated that the Mountain West does not support conferences receiving multiple automatic bids to the College Football Playoff.
this stance contrasts with the big Ten’s preference for such a model, though the SEC has withdrawn its support for it.
What are your thoughts on the Mountain West’s decision to pause expansion? Share your insights in the comments below!
How does expansion directly influence the Mountain West Conference’s negotiating leverage with media partners?
Mountain West Reconsiders Expansion Amid Media Negotiations
The Shifting Landscape of College Athletics & Conference Realignment
The Mountain West conference is actively re-evaluating its expansion strategy, directly tied to ongoing and complex media rights negotiations. This isn’t a new progress; the conference has been navigating turbulent waters since the Pac-12’s implosion last summer. The future of the Mountain West, and its ability to secure a lucrative media deal, hinges on attracting the right schools and demonstrating stability to potential broadcast partners. Conference realignment,media rights deals,and college football futures are all interconnected.
Current Expansion Candidates & Their Appeal
Several universities have been linked to potential Mountain West expansion.The most frequently discussed include:
San Diego State: A geographically desirable location with a strong athletic program, SDSU has been a long-time target. Their commitment to football and basketball makes them an attractive addition.
Colorado state: Located in a growing media market, CSU offers potential for increased viewership.
UNLV: Another Nevada school, UNLV brings a significant market presence in Las Vegas.
Fresno State: A strong football program with a dedicated fanbase in California’s Central Valley.
Utah State: Offers a solid all-around athletic program and a presence in a growing state.
The appeal of these schools isn’t solely athletic.Market size, academic reputation, and potential for revenue generation are all critical factors. The Mountain West is aiming for additions that enhance the conference’s overall value proposition.
The Media Rights Puzzle: What’s at Stake?
The current media landscape is dramatically different than even a year ago. The Pac-12’s failure to secure a viable media rights deal has underscored the challenges facing conferences outside the Power five (now Power Four). The Mountain West is currently in negotiations with several potential partners, including:
ESPN/ABC: A customary broadcast partner, offering broad reach but perhaps lower revenue.
CBS/Paramount+: Another established broadcaster with streaming capabilities.
Fox Sports: A key player in college sports broadcasting.
Streaming Services (Apple TV+, Amazon Prime Video): Representing a newer, potentially higher-revenue, but less predictable option.
The goal is to secure a deal that provides significant revenue distribution to member schools,allowing them to invest in their athletic programs and remain competitive. A weak media deal could stifle growth and potentially lead to further conference realignment. The estimated revenue per school is a key metric being closely watched.
How Expansion Impacts Media negotiations
Adding schools like San Diego State or Fresno State considerably increases the Mountain West’s media market reach. A larger footprint translates to more potential viewers and, thus, a higher valuation for broadcast rights.
Here’s how expansion influences the negotiation process:
- Increased Viewership: More attractive markets mean more eyeballs on games.
- Enhanced Brand Value: A stronger conference with recognizable programs attracts more attention.
- Negotiating Leverage: A larger, more stable conference has more bargaining power with media partners.
- Potential for Tiered rights: Expansion allows for the possibility of tiered media rights deals, maximizing revenue potential.
The pac-12’s Collapse: Lessons Learned
The disintegration of the Pac-12 serves as a cautionary tale. The conference’s inability to agree on a media strategy and its delayed response to the changing landscape ultimately lead to its downfall.The Mountain West is acutely aware of these lessons and is prioritizing a unified approach to media negotiations. The pac-12’s mistakes highlight the importance of proactive planning, strong leadership, and a willingness to adapt to the evolving media environment.
Potential Scenarios & Timelines
Several scenarios are possible in the coming months:
Scenario 1: Successful Expansion & Lucrative Media Deal: The Mountain West adds 2-4 schools and secures a multi-year media rights agreement with a major broadcaster or streaming service, generating significant revenue for its members.
Scenario 2: Limited Expansion & Moderate Media Deal: The conference adds a few schools but struggles to secure a top-tier media deal, resulting in modest revenue growth.
scenario 3: Stalled Expansion & Uncertain Future: The conference fails to attract desirable schools and is unable to secure a favorable
