Pac-12 and Mountain West Reach Settlement Over Poaching Clause and Exit Fees

The Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences have settled all lawsuits concerning a poaching provision and associated exit-fee payments involving several member schools.

After extensive legal battles, the Pac-12 and Mountain West conferences declared a final settlement that ends all pending lawsuits over a “poaching” clause and related exit-fee obligations. The deal encompasses institutions such as Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State, San Diego State and Fresno State, as well as the Board of Trustees of the California State University. The contested clause mandated a $10 million payment for the first departing team, increasing by $500,000 for each subsequent exit up to $55 million, a provision challenged in California courts.

Separate actions by Colorado State, Utah State and Boise State aimed to avoid fees between $19 million and $38 million. The settlement clears the path for Colorado State, Utah State, San Diego State, Fresno State and Boise State to join the Pac-12, while the Mountain West adds UTEP, Hawaii and Northern Illinois for football. The conferences said the resolution lets them concentrate on serving student-athletes, fans and their broader communities.