By Jonathan Cañas (@jonathancanas_) – Spear Editor | (photo by Nick Orozco – Co-Executive Editor of The Spear)
Utah State is the latest chip to fall in the midst of the realignment standoff between the Pac-12 and the Mountain West. The Pac-12 has now taken five teams from the Mountain West.
The Utah State Aggies were the No. 1 seed in the Mountain West men’s basketball conference last year and have been to four of the last five NCAA Tournaments.
This is another major loss to a Mountain West conference that appeared to be on the rise in terms of national recognition.
The Pac-12 turned their attention west after the University of Memphis, Tulane University, the University of Texas at San Antonio and the University of South Florida all released a statement confirming their commitment to the American Athletic Conference (AAC).
“While we acknowledge receiving interest in our institutions, we firmly believe that it is in our individual and collective best interest to uphold our commitment to each other,” the AAC said in a statement on X.
The Pac-12 also sued the Mountain West over “poaching fees” that are eclipsing $50 million on top of the exit fees it has to pay according to CBS Sports. The exit fee is $17 million per school while the damages are $10 million per school.
“The Pac-12 conference is challenging a contractual provision that is expressly agreed to and acknowledged and was essential to the Mountain West Conference’s willingness to enter a scheduling agreement,” Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement on X.
The Mountain West put these contingencies in the event any of its own members decide to leave for the Pac-12.
With only two members left for the Pac-12 to start the 2024-25 season, it was only natural for them to fight back before the two-year grace period ends.
“This was news that was a little bit unexpected, not saying it necessarily came out of the blue because the Pac-2 had to secure their future in one form or another,” San Jose State Director of Athletics Jeff Konya said following SJSU’s win over Kennesaw State.
“But in terms of how it all played out it was a little bit of a shock,” Konya said.
Following Utah State’s sudden decision to leave the Mountain West, each conference now has seven teams.
The University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV) now holds a significant amount of power.
UNLV is exploring all options after Utah State’s departure according to ESPN.
If UNLV were to defect, it could have a ripple effect that would put the Mountain West in shambles.
SJSU finds itself in the middle of this drama, patiently awaiting the decision of UNLV. Konya believes SJSU holds a significant amount of weight in the conference realignment shakeup.
“We are a top three Mountain West property, in the Bay Area, in a huge media market and the tenth biggest city in the country and we’re playing on national television and we’re winning by double digits,” Konya said.
SJSU, UNLV and Air Force had intentions of staying with the Mountain West prior to Utah State’s departure. It’s unclear where all sides stand as of now.
SJSU would have to act quickly if UNLV departs for the Pac-12.
Despite not having a football program, Gonzaga University has emerged as another team the Pac-12 could go after if it fails to add UNLV according to AP News.
The only thing the Spartans can do now is wait and show their play out on the field.
