Pac-12, Mountain West Conferences Finalize Settlement over 'Poaching' and Exit Fees
The leagues said the deal ends lawsuits over $155 million in disputed exit and poaching fees tied to five schools leaving the Mountain West.
- On Tuesday, the Mountain West Conference and Pac-12 Conference announced a final settlement, ending a nearly two-year legal battle over conference realignment fees and "poaching penalties" stemming from five university departures.
- Following a 2024 scheduling agreement, the Mountain West included a "poaching penalty" clause requiring the Pac-12 to pay heavy fees if it acquired any conference schools, totaling approximately $55 million for the five departing members.
- Challenging the fees as "anticompetitive and unlawful," the Pac-12 filed a federal lawsuit, while the Mountain West pursued roughly $100 million in exit fees from Boise State University, Colorado State University, Utah State University, San Diego State University, and Fresno State.
- Although settlement terms remain undisclosed, the agreement resolves all pending litigation in California and Colorado, allowing the conferences to move forward with certainty and focus on their student-athletes.
- Both leagues restructure for the 2026 season: the Mountain West added Hawaii, UTEP, and Northern Illinois, while the Pac-12 recruited Texas State and Gonzaga to meet conference membership requirements.
32 Articles
32 Articles
Washington Top News
Pac-12, Mountain West conferences finalize settlement over `poaching’ and exit fees
The Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences have finalized a settlement over “poaching” and exit fees. The two conferences announced on Tuesday that all sides have reached final agreements to settle all pending litigation. The statement included Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State and The Board of Trustees of the California State University on behalf of San Diego State and Fresno State. “With these matters concluded, the conferences and institu…
Associated Press News
Pac-12, Mountain West conferences finalize settlement over `poaching' and exit fees
The Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences have finalized a settlement over “poaching” and exit fees. The two conferences announced that all sides have reached final agreements to settle all pending litigation.
Oil City News
Cap City NewsMW, Pac-12 agree to drop poaching penalty lawsuit spurred by 2024 realignment
COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo. — The Mountain West and Pac-12 have agreed to drop a 2024 lawsuit that challenged the legality of a multi-million dollar “poaching penalty” enforced in the two conferences’ 2024 scheduling contract. The Pac-12 originally filed the suit to invalidate fees it called “anticompetitive and unlawful” after recruiting five schools from its rival […]
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