The Pac-12 and Mountain West are set to take the matter to court after their attempt at mediation fell through. The issue revolves around exit fees and penalties related to the Pac-12’s acquisition of five schools from the Mountain West. Both conferences filed to have a hearing scheduled for September 9.

After the Pac-12 decided to bring in Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State, and Utah State, the Mountain West responded by demanding $55 million in penalties, claiming the Pac-12 violated a scheduling agreement intended to assist Oregon State and Washington State in organizing 12-game schedules last season.

The Pac-12 initiated legal action to dispute these fees this past fall, while the Mountain West has sought to dismiss the lawsuit.

In a related matter, Colorado State, Utah State, and Boise State have also initiated a lawsuit against the Mountain West challenging their exit fees, which begin at $19 million per school.

Quote:

The Pac-12 Conference and the Mountain West Conference participated in a mediation initiated by the Mountain West on May 19, 2025, in an effort to resolve the ongoing legal dispute. While the Pac-12 engaged in the process in good faith, the mediation did not result in a solution. Today, the Pac-12 and Mountain West have jointly requested a hearing on the pending motion to dismiss to take place on September 9, 2025.

The penalties stem from a provision in the scheduling agreement that requires the Pac-12 to pay $10 million for each school added from the Mountain West, plus escalators for additional entries. The total reaches $55 million given the proposed addition of five schools.

Later in 2026, these schools will join the Pac-12, alongside Gonzaga and Texas State as part of an expanding athletic presence.