US EditionMountain West Conference Pauses Expansion Amid Legal Dispute with Pac-12
WESTERN UNITED STATES, JUL 14 – The legal dispute centers on $55 million in poaching penalties and exit fees tied to five Mountain West schools joining the Pac-12 in 2026, with a court hearing set for Sept. 9.
- The Mountain West Conference paused adding new members during its 2025 football media days in Las Vegas amid ongoing legal disputes with the Pac-12 Conference.
- The conflict emerged after five Mountain West institutions declared their intention to join the Pac-12, leading to $55 million in charges related to withdrawal and recruitment penalties that mediation efforts failed to settle.
- Both conferences engaged in mediation starting May 19, 2025, but were unable to agree, leading the Mountain West to file a motion to dismiss and request a Sept. 9 court hearing.
- The scheduling agreement required the Pac-12 to pay a $10 million fee plus $500,000 escalation per additional school, which the Pac-12 disputes as coercive and exorbitant fees.
- The court will now decide on the fees while the Mountain West asserts it will aggressively defend its members and readdress expansion after completing media rights negotiations.
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Colorado Springs GazetteReposted by 
Denver Gazette
Denver GazetteMountain West to leave longtime conference home in Colorado Springs for Las Vegas
LAS VEGAS • The soon-to-be new-look Mountain West Conference also will have a new home.
·Colorado Springs, United States
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Coverage Details
Total News Sources36
Leaning Left11Leaning Right2Center17Last UpdatedBias Distribution57% Center
Bias Distribution
- 57% of the sources are Center
57% Center
L 37%
C 57%
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