Pac-12 and Mountain West Settle Legal Dispute Ahead of 2026 Season
The Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences have settled their legal dispute concerning exit fees and poaching penalties, concluding a court battle that impacted both leagues. The announcement was made on Tuesday, just before the start of the football season for new league members.
The settlement involves the Mountain West Conference, the Pac-12 Conference, and several universities, including Boise State and Colorado State. This agreement allows the conferences to move forward and focus on their student-athletes and communities.
The legal issues arose after the Pac-12 lost ten member schools and sought to rebuild by adding five Mountain West teams starting in the 2026-27 academic year. The Mountain West had initially sought up to $55 million in penalties related to a scheduling agreement. The settlement also comes as both conferences adjust their memberships, with the Pac-12 preparing for its relaunch in 2026.
