BOISE, Idaho — KTVB Sports Director Jay Tust on Thursday confirmed Boise State is one of four Mountain West schools involved in the latest round of realignment in college athletics.
Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State will join the Pac-12 effective July 1, 2026.
The move comes with a cost. The Pac-12 will owe the Mountain West $43 million for taking the four schools, while each institution will have to pay their soon-to-be former league $17 million, the cost of leaving with at least one year of notice. The total fee could reach as high as $111 million collectively.
Oregon radio show host and columnist John Canzano recently reported the Pac-12 set aside $65 million in settlement money to help rebuild the league.
Following the departures of Oregon, UCLA, USC and Washington to the Big Ten; Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah to the Big 12; and Cal and Stanford to the ACC over the summer, the Pac-12 was left with just two teams: Oregon State and Washington State.
The two agreed to pay the Mountain West a sum of $14 million this fall to help with scheduling for their respective football programs. Part of that agreement included a stiff penalty should the Pac-12 attempt to take any current Mountain West institutions.
The Pac-12 still has to add two more teams prior to July 1, 2026, when their two-year grace period expires. The NCAA requires a league to have a minimum of eight teams in order to qualify as a FBS conference.
The big question now – who will the Pac-12 go after next?
The Big Ten and Big 12 once saw value in expanding out west and getting into multiple time zone. The Pac-12 could do something similar and target programs out east, potentially exploring the additions of Memphis, South Florida and Tulane out of the American Athletic Conference.
Boise State University on Thursday announced it accepted a formal invitation to join the Pac-12. The Broncos will join the conference effective July 1, 2026, pending approval from the Idaho State Board of Education.
"Boise State University has excelled across every metric by which we are measured, from the lab to the classroom to the field of play," Boise State President Dr. Marlene Tromp said. "We have shattered records for research awards, graduation numbers and philanthropic giving. Our exciting trajectory matched by the prowess of our storied athletic programs makes this the moment to advance to the Pac-12 conference."
Boise State Director of Athletics Jeramiah Dickey released the following statement Thursday in a letter to Bronco Nation:
Good morning, Bronco Nation!
Today is a transformational day.
When we set the course for Boise State with the What’s Next Initiative back in 2021, we envisioned a future for the Broncos where we worked for the future we wanted, not what we were left with. Today, we took a huge step towards that future.
We are beyond excited to formally accept the invitation to join the Pac-12 Conference and be a part of this reimagined league with Oregon State and Washington State, as well as our fellow partner schools Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State, effective July 1, 2026. Pending approval of the full agreement by the Idaho State Board of Education.
We evaluated this move from many angles and considered it with our head and our heart, and most importantly, with our 350+ student-athletes in mind. I extend my gratitude to Dr. Tromp, our Office of General Counsel, and the many members of the Idaho State Board of Education, university, and athletics leadership groups who contributed to this process. When it came down to making the final decision, we chose this path because it puts Boise State in the best position for success. We have always chosen that path, and this one was no different.
College athletics is a relationship-based industry, and this decision was not easy from that perspective. We are grateful for the relationships in the Mountain West Conference for the last 13+ years, and we look forward to being proud members and great partners through the end of our time in the conference.
From a competitive excellence standpoint, we have celebrated 32 team conference championships and 78 individual conference titles since joining the Mountain West. We are second in the Mountain West in total team championships across football, men’s basketball and women’s basketball. We are also one of two teams to have won a conference title in each of football, men’s basketball, women’s basketball, women’s soccer, volleyball and softball since 2011-12, our first year in the Mountain West.
Nationally, we are one of four schools in the last three years to qualify for a bowl game and reach the NCAA Tournament in men’s basketball. We have won seven national championships in the last 13 years.
In other words, we believe our success in athletic competition shows we are ready for What’s Next. We are a national brand, and we do not shy away from that and what that means for us going forward.
College athletics has undergone incredible change over the last few years. We as Broncos are not ones to stand on the sidelines. We are always forward-thinking and constantly evaluating what can help set us apart for the betterment of our student-athletes, our coaches and staff, our university, our community – and our future.
There are several questions yet to be answered, and we have a strong direction with time to build something epic. I have faith in our staff and Bronco Nation, and I will always bet on us.
Now is the time to show your support of the Broncos even more. Whether it is season tickets to all of our sports, attending any of our competitions and events, becoming a member of the Bronco Athletic Association, or supporting the Horseshoe Collective, all of it matters. We are in a great position and that is a reflection of all the support demonstrated by Bronco Nation to this point. We are grateful for all of you.
There has been great momentum for Boise State lately – and we strongly believe this next chapter in our history will elevate us even faster for What’s Next. We won’t ever stop.
Go Broncos!