US EditionSun Belt Approves Move to Lure Louisiana Tech From Conference USA, AP Source Says
LINCOLN PARISH, LOUISIANA, JUL 14 – Louisiana Tech will pay a $5 million exit fee to leave Conference USA and join the Sun Belt Conference as its 14th member, filling the vacancy left by Texas State's departure.
- On Monday morning, Sun Belt Conference school representatives voted to invite Louisiana Tech University as the conference’s 14th member, replacing Texas State which will depart for the Pac-12 in 2026.
- Having been a full Sun Belt member from 1991 to 2001, Louisiana Tech’s return gained momentum from Sun Belt West schools, sources said, because of geographic rivalries.
- Despite pushback from Sun Belt East teams, the vote still secured 10 of 13 votes, and Louisiana Tech will pay at least a $5 million buyout to exit Conference USA, ESPN noted.
- A 14-team format returns to Sun Belt football with Louisiana Tech added, reflecting the effort to maintain geographic cohesion and competitive balance.
- Multiple sources said Louisiana Tech could join as early as 2026, and the move marks a significant shift in college sports realignment, with entry expected in the coming weeks.
29 Articles
29 Articles
Louisiana Tech moving back to the Sun Belt to replace Texas State, keep conference at 14 teams
Two weeks after Texas State announced its leaving the Sun Belt Conference to join the new Pac-12 Conference, the league’s CEOs voted to approve Louisiana Tech to fill the void.
Sun Belt approves move to lure Louisiana Tech from Conference USA
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Sun Belt Conference has formally approved a proposal to extend a membership invitation to Louisiana Tech, a person familiar with the situation said. The person spoke to The Associated Press on condition of anonymity on Monday because the Sun Belt has not announced the membership offer, and Louisiana Tech has not announced its decision to accept it and leave Conference USA. The person said it is not clear how soon the Bulld…
Report: Sun Belt leaders vote to invite Louisiana Tech
Sun Belt CEOs voted to invite Louisiana Tech as the league’s 14th member Monday morning, sources told ESPN, giving the conference a replacement for Texas State. The conference leaders met virtually Thursday and cleared the way, with the vote Monday morning being more of a formality, sources said. There was some reluctance from the Sun Belt’s East teams, according to sources, but the league still achieved the required 10 votes among 13 schools to…
Winnipeg Free Press
Sun Belt approves move to lure Louisiana Tech from Conference USA, AP source says
Breaking News, Sports, Manitoba, Canada
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- 56% of the sources are Center
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