UNLV reconsidering MW commitment after Utah State bolts for Pac-12

UNLV’s renewal of vows with the Mountain West might have lasted just a few hours.

School officials, soon after deciding to remain in the league, were reconsidering late Monday after Utah State surprised them with a decision to bolt for the reconstructed Pac-12.

The Aggies’ move left both the Mountain West and Pac-12 with seven members, one short of the NCAA-mandated minimum for a conference.

That uncertainty gave UNLV officials reason to rethink their decision to remain in a league that now might have to scramble to fill its ranks with lower-tier programs. It also left the school in a potential position of power. The Rebels are a brand name and play in a desirable market. Both the Mountain West and Pac-12 need teams, especially ones that will be valuable when it comes time to negotiate media rights deals.

UNLV was set to remain in the Mountain West after a brief flirtation with the Pac-12 earlier Monday, according to multiple sources. UNLV’s commitment to the league, however, was based on eight teams remaining in the conference.

Air Force made a similar commitment to the Mountain West after it was pursued by the American Athletic Conference, where fellow service academies Army and Navy compete. Utah State’s decision to leave threw the situation back into flux. Air Force is also reportedly reconsidering its future, which could be tied to UNLV’s ultimate decision.

Mountain West officials, expected to be armed with cash as a result of exit and poaching fees from the departing schools, are believed to have made lucrative financial promises to get Air Force and UNLV to remain.

All options on table

Onc source indicated no options were off the table, including an attempt to lure back Utah State or even some sort of potential merger between the conferences. Another opined UNLV leaving for the Pac-12, perhaps as early as Tuesday morning, is the most likely outcome.

UNLV was considered one of the Pac-12’s primary targets, along with Utah State, after the league saw other expansion options fall through, according to multiple sources and reports.

Utah State would join the Pac-12 for the 2026-27 school year, where it would join Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State as Mountain West defectors. Those four schools announced their decision to leave for the Pac-12 on Sept. 12.

Any school leaving the Mountain West owes the league an exit fee of between $18 million and $20 million. That number could double without a two-year notice. The Pac-12 also owes the Mountain West at least $10 million every time it poaches a school from the conference as part of a scheduling agreement between the leagues.

UNLV could now be in a strong enough position to get the Pac-12 to cover all or most of the exit fee, in addition to other possible concessions.

Mountain West schools are making almost $6 million annually in overall payouts. How much Pac-12 schools will receive when the league is reformed in 2026 is uncertain.

AAC schools off table

The Pac-12, before adding Utah State, appeared to be looking at the AAC for additions. But four AAC schools — Memphis, South Florida, Tulane and UTSA — reaffirmed their commitment to the league Monday amid realignment speculation.

The four issued a joint statement saying they were staying put despite interest from other leagues.

“Together, we are committed to continuing to build the American brand, exploring new opportunities for exposure and value, and developing innovative economic resources — all in service of our student athletes,” the statement read. “While we acknowledge receiving interest in our institutions from other conferences, we firmly believe that it is in our individual and collective best interests to uphold our commitment to each other.”

UNLV football coach Barry Odom said Monday at his weekly news conference that his undefeated team is aware of the dramatically shifting landscape around them. The Rebels (3-0), however, are trying to focus on the task at hand. They have appeared in the national rankings for the first time in program history the past two weeks and open conference play against Fresno State on Saturday at Allegiant Stadium.

Odom’s primary concern is making sure his program has enough resources to compete on a national level.

“I’m excited about the leadership of our president and athletic director,” he said. “I know we’re on the right path. They are doing everything they can for the good of UNLV. I have very strong belief in that. I know that the ability for us to continue to build a program on a national level is what my mindset is, and how can we do that in every single area for our student athletes and we’re moving in the right direction to get this program on the national scope for years to come.”

Assistant sports editor Ben Gotz and sports columnist Ed Graney contributed to this report. Contact Adam Hill at ahill@reviewjournal.com. Follow @AdamHillLVRJ on X.