Pac-12 realignment talks: UNLV reconsiders decision amid chaotic day, per report
Realignment talks between the Pac-12 and Mountain West may as well be a high school recruitment at this point. Early Monday evening, the MWC was reportedly going to have UNLV stay with the conference and be one of the flagship programs alongside Air Force.
However, Utah State has since accepted an offer from the Pac-12 and should shortly be announcing their move. According to ESPN’s Pete Thamel, this has made UNLV rethink its commitment to the Mountain West. Thamel states the Rebels are “continuing to explore options.”
“Sources: In the wake of Utah State’s commitment to the Pac-12, UNLV’s commitment to the Mountain West has not been formalized,” Thamel said via X. “The school sent in an MOU to the Mountain West, but that was predicated on all eight schools committing. The school is continuing to explore options.”
A later report from Thamel stated Air Force may not be locked into the Mountain West either. They are expected to be in contact with UNLV and the two programs may wind up making their decision together. Both wanted eight teams to be in the MWC but Utah State’s decision changed things.
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“Source: Expect Air Force and UNLV to be in close contact about the future,” Thamel said via X. “Air Force and UNLV were both lock step when they signed MOUs to commit to the Mountain West today. With those not valid because all eight schools didn’t commit, expect UNLV and AFA to be in close touch.”
Seven members are currently slated to be a part of the future Pac-12, with Oregon State and Washington State being left behind by the now Big Ten and Big 12 schools. Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and San Diego State will leave the Mountain West to join the Pac-12 in July 2026 while paying exit fees of $17 million each.
You can now add Utah State to the list too. It’s the program’s fifth instance of moving conferences since 2000 but this one will be the biggest of them all from a brand recognition standpoint. Their move could wind up saving the Pac-12 too if one of Air Force or UNLV decides to join the conference, getting them to eight or nine institutions.
As the Pac-12 is looking to meet the NCAA conference requirements, finding at least one more school to join the new-look conference will be required by the summer of 2026.