Colorado State and Utah State have taken legal action against the Mountain West Conference, accusing the organization of unfair penalties for their departure to join the Pac-12 in 2026. The lawsuit alleges that the Mountain West and Commissioner Gloria Nevarez have violated league bylaws to punish the departing schools and withhold millions of dollars in reimbursement for expenses related to postseason football games. The complaint also claims that the Mountain West is imposing excessive exit fees on the departing members, ranging from $19 million to $38 million per school, despite lacking justification for such penalties.
The law firm representing Colorado State and Utah State, O’Melveny, stated that the Mountain West has made secret agreements with remaining conference members, freezing the departing schools out of board meetings and withholding information required by Colorado law. The lawsuit further asserts that the Mountain West’s actions are part of ongoing efforts to restrict member schools’ opportunities for exploring other options in the marketplace.
The dispute arose following the breakup of the Pac-12, which led to schools leaving the Mountain West for other conferences. The lawsuit sheds light on the complexities of conference realignment and the financial implications for schools transitioning between conferences. This legal battle highlights the intricacies and challenges faced by collegiate athletic programs in a competitive and evolving landscape.
Source
Photo credit www.denver7.com