The Pac-12 and Mountain West are headed to court. The conferences were unable to reach a settlement in the legal dispute over exit fees and poaching penalties tied to the Pac-12’s acquisition of five Mountain West schools, and they made a joint filing Tuesday to ask for a hearing on Sept. 9.
After the Pac-12 announced its additions of Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, San Diego State and Utah State, the Mountain West sought $55 million in penalties, claiming the Pac-12 broke the terms of the scheduling agreement it signed to help Oregon State and Washington State construct 12-game slates last football season. The Pac-12 last fall pursued legal action to overrule the fees, and the Mountain West filed a motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
Colorado State, Utah State and Boise State filed a separate lawsuit against the Mountain West to challenge their exit fees from the conference, which start at $19 million per school. According to The Mercury News’ Jon Wilner, that lawsuit was also part of the failed mediation between the two leagues.
“The Pac-12 Conference and the Mountain West Conference participated in a mediation initiated by the Mountain West on May 19, 2025, in an effort to resolve the ongoing legal dispute,” the Pac-12 said in a statement. “While the Pac-12 engaged in the process in good faith, the mediation did not result in a solution. Today, the Pac-12 and Mountain West have jointly requested a hearing on the pending motion to dismiss to take place on September 9, 2025.
“The Pac-12 remains committed to moving forward with legal action in response to the Mountain West’s attempt to impose so-called “poaching penalties,” provisions we believe are unlawful and intended to obstruct our ability to act in the best interests of our…
Source link : https://www.cbssports.com/college-football/news/pac-12-mountain-west-heading-to-court-after-failed-mediation-over-exit-fees-poaching-penalties/
Author : Carter Bahns
Publish date : 2025-07-16 01:08:00
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