Pac-12 plans rebuild, adding four Mountain West schools

Jill Martin, CNN

(CNN) — After a wide exodus of schools, nan Pac-12 Conference is moving connected a revival.

The convention announced Thursday that 4 schools from nan Mountain West Conference – Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State and San Diego State – will beryllium admitted to nan Pac-12, effective from July 1, 2026.

Conference realignment successful nan past mates of years has near nan Pac-12 pinch conscionable 2 schools: Oregon State and Washington State. According to NCAA bylaws, successful bid to beryllium classified arsenic a Football Bowl Subdivision (FBS) conference, location needs to beryllium astatine slightest 8 schools.

In April, nan NCAA Division I Board of Directors decided nan Pac-12 would nary longer beryllium an autonomous conference, which was effective August 2, and is presently classified arsenic a nonautonomous FBS conference. The convention is successful nan midst of a two-year grace play to activity to meet nan requirements of an FBS conference.

The Pac-12 was decimated erstwhile 10 schools left: Stanford and Cal moved connected to nan other extremity of nan state to nan Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Washington, Oregon, USC and UCLA went to nan Big Ten Conference. Arizona, Arizona State, Colorado and Utah joined nan Big 12.

“For complete a century, nan Pac-12 Conference has been recognized arsenic a starring marque successful intercollegiate athletics,” Pac-12 commissioner Teresa Gould said. “We will proceed to prosecute bold cutting-edge opportunities for maturation and progress, to champion service our personnel institutions and student-athletes. I americium thankful to our committee for their efforts to invited Boise State University, Colorado State University, California State University, Fresno, and San Diego State University to nan conference. An breathtaking caller era for nan Pac-12 Conference originates today.”

Ahead of Thursday’s Pac-12 announcement, Mountain West commissioner Gloria Nevarez had released a connection astir nan then-pending news.

“The Mountain West Conference is alert of media reports regarding nan imaginable departure of respective of our members, and we will person much to opportunity successful nan days ahead,” Nevarez said.

“All members will beryllium held to nan Conference bylaws and policies should they elite to depart. The requirements of nan scheduling statement will use to nan Pac-12 should they admit Mountain West members. Our Board of Directors is gathering to find our adjacent steps. The Mountain West has a proud 25-year history and will proceed to thrive successful nan years ahead.”

When reached by CNN connected Thursday pursuing nan Pac-12’s announcement, nan Mountain West did not person an updated statement.