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Northern Illinois appears set to head to the Mountain West in 2026 as a football-only member. (Photo by Joseph Weiser/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
Northern Illinois appears headed to the Mountain West as a football-only member.
The school has officially accepted an invite from the conference and its board of trustees is set to vote on the move on Jan. 7.
“The University is asking the Board to approve $2M for the required membership fee to join the MWC,” the board agenda says. “In intercollegiate athletics, conference membership fees and exit fees are standard.”
“Conference realignment has become a reality in intercollegiate athletics. In addition to providing the university with additional revenue, the move to the MWC will allow the university to grow its strong football brand and reaffirm its commitment to the success of our student athletes.”
If and when the move is approved, the school would join the Mountain West effective July 1, 2026. The school is currently a full member of the Mid-American Conference and will stay in the conference for all other sports.
The Huskies’ football move to the MWC means the MAC would have 13 teams for the 2025 football season following UMass’ arrival as a football-only member. NIU went 8-5 overall and 4-4 in the MAC this season. It’s most famous win came in Week 2 over Notre Dame. The Fighting Irish haven’t lost since and are set to play Penn State in the Orange Bowl for the right to play in the national title game.
The MWC is looking for teams as the Pac-12 has taken some of its members. The conference had 12 teams for the 2024 football season and Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State are joining Oregon State and Washington State in the reborn Pac-12 in 2026. Gonzaga is also joining the conference but as a member in all sports but…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/northern-illinois-set-to-move-to-mountain-west-as-football-only-member-221640586.html
Author : Yahoo Sports
Publish date : 2025-01-03 22:16:00
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