UTEP on the Verge of Joining the Mountain West Conference
In a potential conference realignment move, the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) is reportedly in discussions with the Mountain West conference to join its ranks. According to college football insider Pete Thamel, there is a mutual interest between the two parties, and a confirmation of the deal is expected soon from UTEP.
If the deal goes through, the Mountain West conference would become an eight-member field, a status necessary for recognition by the College Football Playoff and NCAA as an FBS conference. However, if UTEP leaves Conference USA, it would have to pay $2 million in exit fees.
The Mountain West conference has faced an exodus of five programs to the Pac-12, including San Diego State, Boise State, Colorado State, Fresno State, and Utah State. To solidify its membership, the conference recently signed a memorandum with its remaining programs, assuring commitment from seven programs to stay in the conference through 2032.
In a statement, Mountain West Commissioner Gloria Nevarez emphasized the importance of the agreements, saying, “Our immediate priority was solidifying the membership of the Mountain West. Now our focus turns to our collective future on behalf of our student-athletes.”
Meanwhile, UNLV and Air Force will each receive at least $25 million in bonus money to stay with the conference. This bonus money will come out of the pockets of Boise State, Colorado State, Utah State, Fresno State, and San Diego State, who each owe $17 million for exiting the conference and joining the Pac-12 in 2026.
The Pac-12 conference, which has seven members starting in 2026, still needs to add one more member to complete its conference and earn automatic berths in the 12-team College Football Playoff Field.
