In a dramatic turn of events, the San Diego State University Aztecs have decided to remain in the Mountain West Conference, dashing hopes of a move to the Pac-12 Conference. The situation led to a contentious legal dispute, leaving scars for all parties involved.
As part of the conditional agreement to stay in the Mountain West, San Diego State will cover the conference’s legal fees resulting from the month-long dispute over their potential exit. In return, the school will receive a $6.6 million conference distribution that was previously withheld as an exit-fee installment.
However, the Aztecs will also be obligated to pay an estimated $34 million exit fee if they decide to leave the Mountain West within the next two years. This amount seems prohibitive for the school, indicating that the much-anticipated invitation to join the Pac-12 might not be as imminent as initially believed.
Despite the tough negotiations, Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez expressed satisfaction with the outcome, stating that the conference is better off with San Diego State remaining as a member.
Meanwhile, the Pac-12 is facing its own challenges in securing a new media rights deal. The announcement, which was expected during the football media day, has been delayed. The conference is dealing with issues such as the upcoming departures of USC and UCLA to the Big Ten in 2024, concerns about potential exits by other members, and financial constraints due to cost-cutting measures at various media organizations.
Nevertheless, a new media rights deal is anticipated to be reached in the near future, involving a combination of traditional broadcast and streaming partners. The conference is likely working hard to achieve its economic goals despite the hurdles.
