In a significant move that has shaken up the college athletics landscape, Utah State joins Pac-12 University recently announced its acceptance into the Pac-12 conference. This development has set off a chain reaction across the Western United States, leaving other universities, including the University of Nevada, Las Vegas (UNLV), to reconsider their strategic options within the world of collegiate athletics. UNLV, a prominent member of the Mountain West Conference (MWC), now finds itself at a crossroads, exploring its future possibilities as it navigates the rapidly changing dynamics of college sports.
The shift of Utah State to the Pac-12 is not just a story of a single institution’s upward mobility. It represents a broader restructuring within NCAA conferences that will likely affect numerous schools and sports programs in the coming years. For UNLV, this is a time of introspection, ambition, and uncertainty, as the university seeks to define its future in an evolving landscape.
The Utah State joins Pac-12 Expansion and Its Implications
Utah State’s move to the Pac-12 is part of a broader realignment within college athletics that has been happening across the country. As schools continue to seek more prestigious and financially lucrative conference affiliations, traditional alliances like the MWC are facing pressure. The Pac-12, once a stable conference known for its strength in both academics and athletics, has undergone a significant transformation in recent years. The addition of Utah State marks yet another step in its attempt to remain competitive, after previously expanding to include schools like Colorado and Utah over a decade ago.
For UNLV, this shift presents both a challenge and an opportunity. The departure of Utah State from the MWC weakens the conference, reducing its overall competitiveness and marketability. As one of the more high-profile members of the MWC, UNLV could find itself in a position to fill the void left by Utah State’s departure—or it could look for its own opportunity to elevate its status by joining a more prominent conference, such as the Pac-12 or even another Power Five conference.
- Pete Thamel
- Kyle Bonagura
Utah State joins Pac-12 Kyle Bonagura
ESPN Staff Writer
- Covers college football.
- Joined ESPN in 2014.
- Attended Washington State University.
UNLV is expected to re-engage in conversations with the Utah State joins Pac-12 after its commitment to the Mountain West earlier in the day was not formalized, sources told ESPN on Monday evening.
UNLV agreed to an memorandum of understanding to return to the league, but that was predicated on all eight remaining schools agreeing to stay, sources told ESPN.
When Utah State decided not to return and go to the Pac-12, sources said UNLV officials agreed to pause and further explore their options. UNLV was set to take a deal from the Mountain West that included it and Air Force receiving a significant lump payment to stay in the league and be one of its linchpins.
The decision by UNLV to explore its options leaves the Mountain West potentially in flux, as the commitment by Air Force earlier in the day and UNLV’s on Monday evening were positive signs that the league could leverage its buyout money from the departing schools to stay together.
Part of the Mountain West pitch is that the league would ensure no schools take a step back in media distribution money, which is guaranteed, compared with the projected revenue the Pac-12 has presented to some universities.
With Utah State expected to leave and UNLV exploring options, the Mountain West is left with commitments from six schools for the 2026 football season: Air Force, Hawai’i, New Mexico, Nevada, San Jose State and Wyoming. The conference will need to add at least two more football-playing school by 2028 to abide by NCAA rules.
Staying in the Mountain West will allow the schools to avoid exit fees. Before Utah State decided to leave, the league was already slated to bring in more than $120 million in revenue from the previous four departures.
Mountain West schools are making almost $6 million annually in overall payouts, nearly $4 million of which is from pure media value. How much the Pac-12 will earn when it is re-formed in 2026 is uncertain as it hasn’t taken the reconfigured product to market. The Pac-12 needs to have eight members to be recognized as an official conference.
What has happened on the Mountain West landscape is part of a high-stakes stare-down between the league, the Pac-12 and the American Athletic Conference. On Monday, the AAC got commitments from Memphis, Tulane, USF and UTSA — some of the Pac-12’s highest-profile targets.
It was projected to cost more than $27 million per school for Memphis and other AAC members to depart the league between exit fees and nearly $2.5 million in lost revenue, presenting an issue for the Pac-12’s expansion efforts.
The buyout cost and lack of a guaranteed television number from the Utah State joins Pac-12, whose estimates project revenue of more than $12 million annually to schools, loom large over the decision-making.
UNLV’s Athletic Profile and Competitive Aspirations
UNLV’s athletic programs, particularly in basketball and football, have long been considered essential to the university’s brand. The university’s basketball program, historically a powerhouse during the 1980s and early 1990s, helped put UNLV on the national map. However, in recent years, the basketball team has struggled to maintain the same level of competitiveness that once defined it. Similarly, UNLV’s football program has been working to establish itself within the competitive MWC. A new football stadium, Allegiant Stadium—shared with the NFL’s Las Vegas Raiders—has helped raise the profile of the program and attracted more fans to games.
With these developments, UNLV’s athletics department has made it clear that the university has ambitions to grow and compete at a higher level. The school has invested heavily in its facilities and coaching staff to foster a culture of success. With Utah State moving on to the Pac-12, UNLV may see this as an opportunity to make a move of its own, potentially seeking membership in the Pac-12 or even other Power Five conferences.
Exploring Conference Realignment
Conference realignment is one of the most dynamic and unpredictable aspects of college sports. Schools are often weighing several factors when considering a move to a new conference: television contracts, marketability, competitive balance, and academic affiliations. For UNLV, joining a Power Five conference like the Pac-12 would be a major coup, providing the school with increased visibility, larger revenue from television contracts, and opportunities for greater national exposure in its athletic programs.
However, the decision to explore new conference affiliations comes with potential risks. Conferences such as the Pac-12 have strict academic and athletic requirements, and they may not always be eager to add new members unless they are a perfect fit. UNLV’s administration will need to weigh whether the university’s athletic programs, academic standing, and marketability meet the standards set by larger conferences.
Furthermore, the university’s geographic location in Las Vegas presents both advantages and challenges. Las Vegas is one of the fastest-growing cities in the country and is home to major professional sports teams, including the Raiders and the NHL’s Vegas Golden Knights. This gives UNLV a strong market presence that could be appealing to conferences looking to expand their footprint into new media markets.
However, the intense competition for fan attention and media dollars in a crowded sports market could complicate the equation.
Financial Considerations and Media Deals
One of the most critical aspects of conference realignment involves the financial benefits that schools stand to gain. Conferences like the Pac-12 secure multimillion-dollar television contracts, which are shared among their member institutions. These revenue streams provide schools with significant funding that can be reinvested in their athletic programs, facilities, and scholarships Utah State joins Pac-12.
For UNLV, the potential financial benefits of joining a Power Five conference are immense. The MWC, while competitive, does not offer the same level of media exposure or revenue generation as conferences like the Pac-12 or Big Ten. If UNLV were to join the Pac-12, it could significantly increase its annual athletic budget, allowing the university to recruit top-tier athletes and further develop its programs.
At the same time, the financial landscape of college sports is changing rapidly due to the rise of streaming services and new media deals. Conferences are increasingly exploring new ways to distribute their games through platforms like ESPN+, Hulu, and Amazon Prime Video. UNLV would need to carefully consider how these changing dynamics would affect its long-term financial strategy before making any major decisions about switching conferences.
The Role of the Las Vegas Market
Las Vegas has emerged as one of the country’s top sports cities in recent years, with professional teams and major events such as the NFL Draft and NCAA tournaments bringing national attention to the city. This shift has had a positive effect on UNLV’s brand, as the university is located in the heart of this burgeoning sports scene.
As the only major university in a city with growing national prominence, UNLV could leverage its location to attract a larger audience, secure better recruiting pipelines, and position itself as a major player in collegiate sports.
This market strength could be a key selling point for UNLV as it explores its options. Conferences like the Pac-12 are always looking to expand their reach into new regions and media markets. By adding UNLV, the Pac-12 would gain access to the Las Vegas market, which is highly valuable for television ratings and advertising revenue. Similarly, UNLV would benefit from increased exposure, as Pac-12 games are broadcast nationally, giving its athletic programs more visibility.
Next Steps for UNLV
As UNLV navigates this period of uncertainty, university administrators will likely begin by conducting a thorough assessment of the school’s current standing and future goals. This includes evaluating the competitiveness of its athletic programs, the potential financial benefits of joining a new conference, and the broader implications of a realignment on the university’s academic and athletic profile.
The process will also involve discussions with university stakeholders, including coaches, athletes, boosters, and alumni, who will all have a vested interest in the university’s decision. Ultimately, UNLV’s future may depend on how aggressively it pursues opportunities to elevate its standing in the collegiate sports world.
Conclusion
Utah State’s move to the Pac-12 marks a turning point in the landscape of college athletics, and for UNLV, Utah State joins Pac-12. it represents a moment of both challenge and opportunity. As the university explores its options, it must carefully weigh the potential benefits of seeking new conference affiliations against the risks and uncertainties that come with such a decision.
Whatever path UNLV chooses, one thing is clear: the future of collegiate athletics in the Mountain West region is shifting, and UNLV will play a central role in shaping that future.