Mountain West and Pac-12 Conferences Reach Settlement in Poaching Penalties Lawsuit
The Mountain West and Pac-12 conferences have reached a settlement in the lawsuit regarding poaching penalties. The agreement was disclosed to a federal court just before a scheduled discovery hearing. The terms of the settlement have not been made public yet, and a notice of settlement is expected to be filed soon.
In 2024, the Pac-12 invited five Mountain West schools to join their conference, leading to a dispute over a $55 million termination fee. The Pac-12 argued that the fees were unfair, while the Mountain West defended them, stating that the Pac-12 had agreed to the penalties willingly. Legal actions were taken by both parties, including mediation efforts that were unsuccessful.
Boise State, Colorado State, and Utah State also filed lawsuits over paying their conference exit fees. The outcome of these penalties is crucial for UNLV, as they have committed to staying in the Mountain West until 2032. The conference has agreed to share a portion of any funds collected from the Pac-12 and the departing universities with UNLV as part of the agreement.
Additionally, the Mountain West is planning to relocate its headquarters from Colorado Springs to Las Vegas. This move signifies a significant change for the conference and reflects its commitment to the future. The settlement between the Mountain West and Pac-12 marks a step towards resolving the ongoing legal disputes and moving forward in a positive direction.