{"id":118812,"date":"2024-10-07T10:22:34","date_gmt":"2024-10-07T17:22:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/?p=118812"},"modified":"2024-10-07T10:22:35","modified_gmt":"2024-10-07T17:22:35","slug":"fbs-pac-12-fresno-state-conference-realignment-bulldogs-mountain-west-cfb-cpcp","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/herosports.com\/fbs-pac-12-fresno-state-conference-realignment-bulldogs-mountain-west-cfb-cpcp\/","title":{"rendered":"Pac-12 & Fresno State Conference Realignment: How The Bulldogs\u2019 Move Impacts The Mountain West & CFB"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Fresno State, along with four other Mountain West<\/a> teams, are departing for the Pac-12 in 2026.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Bulldogs were a candidate to go to a power conference for many reasons. Here\u2019s more information about one of the latest conference realignment developments in college football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fresno State\u2019s Pac-12 Move<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fresno State could end up making a good amount of money with the Pac-12. However, there\u2019s risks as well.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fresno State announced the Bulldogs accepted an invitation to the Pac-12 after the board of directors unanimously voted to bring the team in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This is an interesting time for the Pac-12, which is currently down to two teams: Oregon State and Washington State. That leaves Fresno State\u2019s new home in a bit of an odd situation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

First, the Pac-12 needs at least eight teams by 2026 to be deemed a legitimate conference by the NCAA.  Several programs have been rumored to be considered as targets for the Pac-12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But many of those potential additions haven\u2019t been in \u201cpower\u201d or autonomous leagues, which the Pac-12 once was. An autonomous conference \u2013 which the Big Ten, Big 12, ACC, and SEC are \u2013 makes more money from the College Football Playoff and has a bigger say with NCAA decisions. Also, the CFP shrunk its number of automatic qualifying spots for league champions from six to five after the Pac-12 nearly fell apart.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Only time will tell if rebuilding the Pac-12 will lead to the CFP going back to the way it was and if it receives the benefits it once did once 2026 rolls around. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

But, reportedly, Pac-12 leaders think the conference can strike a media deal worth more than the Mountain West\u2019s, and money has been a key factor in conference realignment decisions recently.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No matter what, Fresno State is eager for the move.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

“Joining the Pac-12 Conference is a transformative moment for Fresno State,” Fresno State athletic director Garrett Klassy said in a press release. “This move not only elevates our national profile but also brings tremendous opportunities for our student-athletes to compete at the highest level. We are committed to upholding the values and traditions of both Fresno State and the Pac-12 while embracing the innovative future ahead. Together with our new conference peers, we will continue to grow, succeed and lead in both athletics and academics. The Red Wave is ready for this historic journey.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When Is Fresno State Joining The Pac-12?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fresno State will join the Pac-12 on July 1, 2026. So Bulldogs football will begin Pac-12 play in the 2026 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mountain West Teams Going To The Pac-12<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State, and Fresno State are the teams from the Mountain West going to the Pac-12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pac-12\/Mountain West Lawsuit<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Several outlets published stories recently about the Pac-12 filing a lawsuit against the Mountain West over its poaching penalties. That number will be more than $50 million depending on how many schools end up going from the Mountain West to the Pac-12.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Those fees are on top of the $17 million per school that the soon-to-be Pac-12 members will have to pay for leaving the Mountain West, though the Pac-12 will cover some or all of that. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The poaching penalties were part of the scheduling alliance that the Pac-12 and Mountain West made for this season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

The Pac-12\u2019s argument is it\u2019s an antitrust issue. The conference allegedly is claiming it had no choice but to agree to that deal because most of the conference\u2019s teams had left and the league had only a few months to come up with a schedule for the 2024 season.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fresno State\u2019s Mountain West Buyout & Pac-12 Poaching Penalties<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Fresno State and every team leaving the Mountain West will have to pay the conference $17 million just for leaving the league with a minimum notice of one year. Any notice less than that amount of time would\u2019ve been $34 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

As part of the Pac-12\/Mountain West scheduling agreement made this year, the MW will also be owed at least roughly $55 million in poaching penalties for the five teams going to the Pac-12. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

One Mountain West team would\u2019ve cost the Pac-12 $10 million, while two would\u2019ve been $20.5 million. Five teams is $55 million, and six would be $67.5 million.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

But money shouldn\u2019t be an overwhelming obstacle in the long run. The former Pac-12 teams paid Washington State and Oregon State a $65 million settlement. The Pac-12 will also have at least $190 million in future revenue.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pac-12 & Mountain West Scheduling Arrangement<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The Pac-2, so Oregon State and Washington State, put together a scheduling alliance with the Mountain West for the 2024 season. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Mountain West teams scheduled seven games against conference opponents with another being against either OSU or WSU. But those two aren\u2019t eligible for the Mountain West Championship.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The two schools are paying the Mountain West $14 million for this deal, per Yahoo Sports<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teams That Left The Pac-12<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

USC, UCLA, Oregon, and Washington went to the Big Ten. Colorado, Arizona, Arizona State, and Utah are now in the Big 12. And Cal and Stanford are now competing in the ACC. <\/p>\n\n\n\n

That leaves just Oregon State and Washington State in the Pac-12 for at least 2024 and 2025.<\/p>\n\n\n

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