UNLV lands favorable incentive package to stay in Mountain West

UNLV administrators found themselves holding the short-term future of one conference and perhaps the long-term viability of another in their hands as they pondered a decision that could shape the future of the school’s athletic programs.

They took advantage of that leverage and landed a favorable incentive package to stay in the Mountain West.

UNLV, along with six other schools, signed commitments to the conference Thursday that will run through June 30, 2032. The league then made a formal announcement, solidifying plans for the group to stay together. The conference is now expected to act quickly to add at least two more full-time members.

UNLV said in a statement it expects a lump sum payment of between $10 million and $14 million from the Mountain West in 2026 as part of its agreement to stay. It also anticipates receiving annual payments of between $1.5 million and $1.8 million from the league for the duration of the deal. That money is in addition to the revenue the school already receives from the conference.

The Thomas &Mack Center will continue to host the men’s and women’s basketball tournaments throughout UNLV’s agreement with the Mountain West. Also, UNLV is expected to have more say in conference matters with the league office eventually relocating to Southern Nevada.

Perhaps most important, UNLV landed an escape clause that could make the school particularly appealing in the next round of realignment — it can jump to a Power Four conference without penalty.

“We believe continuing our membership with the Mountain West Conference offers needed stability and increased flexibility during a dynamic period in college athletics and positions UNLV for success today and beyond,” UNLV president Keith Whitfield said in a statement.

“UNLV’s continued growth and ascension into a top national research university, combined with world-class athletics facilities and championship-level programs, are indicative of an institution and athletics department on the rise. We’re always looking toward the future, and we’re committed to doing what’s best for our university, UNLV Athletics and our student-athletes, and our alumni and community.”

‘Increased revenues vital’

All seven members of the Mountain West received signing bonuses to stay in the league, but UNLV and Air Force received the largest fees and concessions.

The compensation made it clear why the Rebels resisted interest from the Pac-12, which recently poached Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, Utah State and San Diego State from the Mountain West.

“After a thorough evaluation of all options, at this time the best choice for UNLV is to remain a member of the Mountain West,” athletic director Erick Harper said in a statement. “… The league is a genuine brand and an established product. Increased revenues are a vital factor. As we look ahead and continue our ascent as an athletics department, this also gives us necessary flexibility as we pursue our future goal of joining an autonomous (Power Four) conference.”

In addition to UNLV and Air Force, the Mountain West’s active members are UNR, New Mexico, San Jose State and Wyoming. Hawaii is a football-only member of the league.

Expansion next step

Mountain West officials spent the past several days trying to hold the conference together. The league was in flux after Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State announced Sept. 12 that they would join the Pac-12 for the 2026-27 school year. Utah State joined the defectors Monday.

Each school must pay the Mountain West between $18 million and $20 million in exit fees.

UNLV and Air Force will receive the largest shares of the exit fees when they are paid out in 2026 at 24.5 percent apiece. UNR, New Mexico, San Jose State and Wyoming will each get 11.5 percent of those fees and Hawaii 5 percent.

“Our immediate priority was solidifying the membership of the Mountain West. Now our focus turns to our collective future on behalf of our student-athletes,” Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez said in a statement. “The agreements announced today mark a historic moment for the Mountain West and provide much-needed stability and clarity as the world of intercollegiate athletics continues to evolve rapidly. We are excited about our future and are executing our next steps in expanding the Mountain West.”

Sources confirm Texas State of the Sun Belt Conference is a leading target for inclusion in the Mountain West. The league also could look to add more football-only members, including Northern Illinois and Toledo from the Mid-American Conference. That would enable the league to sell a TV rights package for football that spans all time zones, including Hawaii.

The Rebels’ decision to stay sends the Pac-12 back to the drawing board. The conference stands at seven full-time members once the Mountain West defectors join Oregon State and Washington State.

A league needs eight full-time members to be recognized as a conference by the NCAA.

Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.